Srinagar, June 3: The National Conference (NC) legislature party meeting on Wednesday took an unusual turn as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led party ministers and MLAs to Dachigam National Park for a day-long off-site review and strategy session.
Sources said that all NC ministers and legislators, who had been instructed to assemble at the Chief Minister’s residence at 10:00 am, were subsequently transported to Dachigam, where elaborate security, logistical and hospitality arrangements had already been put in place.
The development followed speculation in political circles that the venue of the meeting had been changed at the last moment. However, Omar Abdullah rejected such reports, asserting that the off-site gathering was part of a pre-planned exercise.
In a series of posts on X, the Chief Minister wrote: “We are off for an off-site to spend the day taking stock of the last 19 months, the good, the not so good & everything in between.”
In another post, he added: “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 have been made, days in advance, at the location originally chosen by me.”
Earlier in the day, NC MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri added to the suspense by posting a photograph on X showing Omar Abdullah and fellow legislators travelling together. Accompanying the image, Veeri wrote: “Crossed Shalimar for unknown destination!”
Sources said the off-site meeting is aimed at reviewing the performance of the government over the past 19 months and discussing future political and governance priorities.
The unusual setting of the meeting has generated considerable interest, especially in the wake of recent opposition criticism and political speculation surrounding the NC leadership’s plans.
Further details are awaited. (JKNS)
