Sajjad Lone’s PC opts out of NC’s Jantar Mantar protest; PDP and AIP undecided

## Decision at the capital

Sajjad Lone’s People’s Conference (PC) has announced it will not take part in the National Conference’s (NC) planned protest at Jantar Mantar. The decision was made public earlier this week, leaving the opposition’s street campaign a little less crowded. While the PC’s stance is clear, the PDP and the AIP have yet to declare their positions.

The protest is being organized to press for a separate statehood arrangement for Jammu and Kashmir, a demand that has shaped the NC’s agenda since the revocation of Article 370. The gathering is being organized to highlight the statehood demand, though the exact turnout remains uncertain.

Political analysts note that the PC’s withdrawal could affect the visual impact of the demonstration, especially as the opposition seeks to present a united front. The PDP, which has previously worked alongside the NC in the past, has not yet confirmed whether it will join the protest. The AIP, a newer entrant in the regional political scene, has also indicated that it may stay away, though no final decision is on record.

The absence of the PC, led by its MLA Sajjad Lone, may signal a strategic calculation by the party as it weighs its relationship with the NC and the broader political environment in the union territory. With the protest slated for later this week, the final choices of the PDP and the AIP will determine how many leaders take to the Jantar Mantar platform. Observers will be watching to see whether the opposition can present a cohesive front on the statehood issue.

The National Conference has historically positioned itself as the primary advocate for statehood in the union territory, and its decision to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar underscores the significance it places on the issue. The protest is being organized to highlight the statehood demand, though the exact turnout remains uncertain.

The PDP, which has previously allied with the NC in coalition governments, now faces a decision that could affect its relationship with the larger opposition bloc. Party insiders say the leadership is weighing the benefits of participating against potential friction with other regional parties that have opted to stay away from the demonstration.

The AIP, a relatively new player in the regional political arena, has not yet made a public declaration regarding its participation. Party officials have indicated that they are reviewing the matter, but no official statement has been released as of now.

Source: Hindustan Times