Won’t join Omar Govt until Statehood restored: J&K Congress chief Karra

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday once again rejected the ruling National Conference’s invitation to join the Omar Abdullah-led Government, saying the Congress will not accept any ministerial berth until full statehood is restored to the Union Territory.

He also said the party would continue its political struggle to restore statehood and would not compromise its stand on positions in the Government.

Addressing a party gathering in Reasi, Karra said the Congress had maintained a consistent position that it would not accept ministerial berths while Jammu and Kashmir continues to remain a Union Territory.

The ruling National Conference (NC) had approached the Congress on Wednesday with an offer to join the Council of Ministers ahead of a proposed expansion and reshuffle of the Omar Abdullah-led Government.

Karra had confirmed that the matter was under consideration, but the party has now reiterated that statehood is a precondition for entering the Cabinet.

The Congress, however, continues to support the NC-led Government from outside. Karra has previously clarified that remaining outside the Cabinet does not mean withdrawing support to the elected Government and that the party would stand with it whenever it faces political challenges.

The Congress has supported the NC-led Government since October 2024 without taking office. In July, the Congress party had also participated in the National Conference-led protest near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in support of restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

The rift between the parties deepened at the time of the Government formation in October 2024. The NC offered one ministerial berth; the Congress sought two. 

The Congress decided in 2024 not to join the Government; it said it would wait for J&K’s statehood to be restored.

The trust deficit triggered a fresh war of words in October last year after the Congress accused its alliance partner of betrayal in Rajya Sabha seat-sharing. Ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls for the UT’s four seats, the NC announced three candidates and offered the Congress the fourth, deemed unwinnable. The Congress said it had been assured a “safe seat”, and decided not to contest.