Srinagar, June 3: The much-awaited National Conference (NC) legislature party meeting on Wednesday took an unexpected turn after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led party legislators and supporting Independent MLAs to an undisclosed location for deliberations, triggering widespread political speculation.
Reports suggesting that the venue of the meeting had been changed at the last moment fuelled curiosity in political circles. However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah swiftly dismissed the claims, asserting that the off-site meeting had been planned well in advance.
Taking to X, Omar said, “I’m sorry to disappoint you but it has NOT ‘been shifted at the last moment’. It was always my intention to conduct this meeting off-site and all arrangements had been made, days in advance, at the location originally chosen by me.”
Adding an element of intrigue to the development, NC MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri shared a photograph on social media showing Omar Abdullah and several legislators travelling together in a tempo traveller. Accompanying the image, Veeri wrote, “Crossed Shalimar for unknown destination!”
The unusual manner in which the meeting was organised attracted considerable attention, particularly against the backdrop of recent political exchanges between the ruling National Conference and opposition parties over the purpose and agenda of the gathering.
Sources said the meeting is expected to deliberate on a range of political and governance-related issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir. However, neither the exact venue nor the detailed agenda of the meeting had been officially disclosed till the filing of this report.
The development has intensified political curiosity, with observers closely watching for any significant decisions or announcements that may emerge from the deliberations.