Srinagar, Apr 16: National Conference (NC) spokesperson Ifra Jan on Wednesday said the party is committed to internal democracy and open discourse.
“Unlike the BJP, the NC allows its members to voice their opinions without fear of retribution,” she said while addressing reporters here.
Ifra said, “Despite ideological differences with MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, our shared goal is to represent the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We did not anticipate leaders being targeted for expressing concerns within the party.”
Taking a jibe at the BJP, she said, “The National Conference is not the BJP. If any leader in the BJP dares to speak against the party, their political career is finished. We, on the other hand, stand by internal democracy—where everyone has the right to express their views.”
The spokesperson said the NC’s mission is not one of power or luxury, but of restoring the identity and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “This is not a government of privilege or power. Every NC leader has their own interpretation of how the rights of Jammu and Kashmir should be restored. What matters is the common goal: regaining our identity,” she said.
Ifra said that the process would unfold in phases, based on an internal strategy, but the ultimate aim remains unchanged: the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and identity. “There will be multiple democratic paths to achieve this. Interpretation may vary, but the destination is the same,” she added.
