J&K CM Omar takes his legislators to off-limit forest destination in Srinagar to dissect 19 months of NC rule

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) ferried National Conference (NC) legislators to off-limit forest destination of Dachigam in Srinagar to dissect 19 months of the party’s rule in the Union Territory (UT). 

“We are off for an off-site to spend the day taking stock of the last 19 months – the good, the not so good and everything in between,” Mr. Abdullah said.

Earlier in the day, around 45 legislators, including NC’s 42 elected representatives, assembled at the residence of Mr. Abdullah. The CM provided special vehicles to drive the legislators to Dachigam, a forest range home to hangul, bears and leopards. Most legislators are off the internet. 

Many legislators expressed surprise over the selection of the venue. “Crossed Shalimar for an unknown destination!” Dr. Bashir Veeri, NC legislator from Bijbehara, wrote in a post on X.

However, Mr. Abdullah said he had decided on the venue in advance. “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,” said Mr. Abdullah.

The meeting is being held in the wake of rumblings within the NC. There is pressure from NC legislators to expand the ministerial berths, because three ministerial seats remain vacant in J&K since Mr. Abdullah took over as Chief Minister in October 2024.

Earlier, these seats were reserved for ally Congress, which, however, refused to join the government. Many NC legislators said Sringar district with eight seats remains unrepresented in the Cabinet.

Several NC legislators also unhappy to function under the dual power system, with the Lieutenant Governor wielding significant powers. Many accused Mr. Abdullah of failing to establish the writ of the elected government over the bureaucracy.

The meeting also comes at a time when former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti wrote a letter to Mr. Abdullah to “initiative a united front” in J&K to pressurise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to push for a dialogue with people of J&K.

Mr. Abdullah on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) said a formal response will be shared after deliberation with party leadership.