Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has decided to step down as the president of his National Conference, the party announced on Friday.
Fresh organisational elections to elect a new president of the party will take place on December 5.
“Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahib has informed his colleagues of his decision to step down as president of JKNC. In spite of the best efforts of senior colleagues in the party, Dr Sahib was adamant that he wouldn’t review his decision,” said NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar.
“In light of this sudden announcement which has caught everyone by surprise the party General Secretary, as per the party constitution, has been tasked with conducting the election for party president which will be completed on 5th December,” he said, adding until that time Dr Farooq continues as president.
Notably, December 5 marks the birth anniversary of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the first chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the father of Farooq Abdullah.
His birthday anniversary used to be a public holiday until the administration of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha decided to drop it from listed public holidays in the Union territory.
Farooq is believed to have informed colleagues of his decision not to contest for another term as the party president in a meeting of the party’s district presidents and constituency in-charges Thursday.
Omar Abdullah, currently serving as the party’s vice president, is expected to be elected as the party’s new president. Notification for the election has been issued by party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar.
A former Union minister, Farooq Abdullah has been demanding the restoration of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, including its flag and separate constitution since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019.
He is the chairperson of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, an umbrella organisation of several regional political parties of J&K, which runs campaigns for the restoration of Article 370.