"I want to burst like a cloudburst," Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah remarked on 6 May, a few days before Eid. The statement generated considerable speculation, with many wondering whether it signaled a major political move. However, given the experience of the past two years, many people concluded that it was likely to remain just another statement rather than a precursor to decisive action.
On 3 June, Omar Abdullah convened a meeting of all National Conference legislators and Members of Parliament. Since he called the meeting in his capacity as Chief Minister rather than as the party's vice-president, expectations were high. The gathering also came amid repeated claims by Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma that some National Conference legislators were considering switching sides.
For Omar Abdullah, therefore, the meeting served not only as a review session but also as an unofficial test of his authority within the party.
All National Conference legislators and parliamentarians attended the meeting except Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi. His absence was particularly notable because the dissident parliamentarian was widely seen as one of the reasons behind the gathering. Rumours had been circulating that Mehdi might leave the party and potentially attract some legislators to his camp. However, all those whose names had been mentioned in such speculation were present at the meeting.
The real twist came when the venue was shifted from the Chief Minister's official residence to Dachigam National Park, located on the outskirts of Srinagar. At that point, many observers began to suspect that the event was less about governance and more about optics.
Among those present was Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri, who had recently returned from the Haj pilgrimage. He was seen posing for photographs alongside fellow legislators, including some who had opposed him when he had raised concerns regarding the rationalisation of reservation policies in Jammu and Kashmir. Images from the buses transporting legislators to Dachigam quickly circulated on social media, triggering criticism from many people who had expected a more substantive outcome from the meeting.
Instead of announcements or policy decisions, the public was greeted with photographs and social media posts from what appeared to be a day-long outing. Omar Abdullah himself shared pictures from the journey to Dachigam with fellow legislators. The enthusiasm with which participants posted photographs reinforced the perception that the gathering resembled a political retreat rather than a serious review meeting.
Although the event may not have been a conventional review meeting, it certainly appeared to be an attempt by the Chief Minister to repair strained relations with legislators who have reportedly been unhappy with the functioning of both the government and the party.
Interestingly, after emerging from the wildlife sanctuary, many participants seemed unusually cautious while speaking to the media. Several legislators delivered almost identical messages, stating that they had reviewed the government's performance and highlighted issues affecting their constituencies.
The uniformity of their statements raised questions about whether they had been instructed to maintain a common line.
One legislator acknowledged that some members had expressed dissatisfaction during the meeting but quickly clarified that the concerns related only to the pace of development work in their constituencies. Given reports that some legislators had privately expressed frustration with the government's functioning, such carefully worded comments attracted attention.
Critics have long alleged that many National Conference legislators found it difficult to gain access to the Chief Minister after he assumed office. If those allegations are true, the Dachigam gathering may have provided some members with a rare opportunity to directly voice their concerns.
Dachigam itself carries historical significance. The sanctuary was developed during the reign of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruling monarch of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is said that the Maharaja occasionally conducted official meetings there.
After a long gap, Omar Abdullah has revived that tradition—at least symbolically. The difference, however, is that the Maharaja's meetings were administrative in nature, whereas this gathering appeared more like a political outing that was presented as a review session.
The event also reportedly caused inconvenience to visitors. Some tourists complained that access to parts of the sanctuary was restricted because of the presence of legislators and security arrangements.
Following the meeting, the party's official spokesperson briefed the media about the discussions. He announced that National Conference legislators would organise a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to demand the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.
What stood out, however, was what was not discussed.
According to the spokesperson, issues such as reservation policies, alcohol regulation, statehood, and other governance matters were debated. Yet Article 370—the constitutional provision whose restoration has been a central promise of the National Conference—apparently did not feature prominently in the discussions.
For many observers, this omission was significant. Article 370 occupied a central place in the party's election manifesto, but it now appears to have receded from the forefront of the party's public agenda.
The irony becomes even sharper when viewed in light of earlier events. When Aga Ruhullah Mehdi had urged Omar Abdullah to join him in a protest at Jantar Mantar on issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir, the suggestion was reportedly dismissed by sections of the party as immature. Yet today, a similar protest has become part of the party's own political roadmap.
For this reason, 3 June 2026 may well be remembered as the day of the "Dachigam Declaration"—a day when the National Conference announced its intention to stage a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar.
Whether the party ultimately follows through on that commitment remains to be seen. For now, the declaration has been made. The public can only wait and watch.
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*Law student and human rights activist
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