NC Accuses BJP of Smear Campaign to Shift Focus from Jammu & Kashmir Statehood Restoration
By: News Desk | 03 July 2026
NC Alleges BJP Is Diverting Attention from Statehood Through ‘Smear Campaign’
The political battle over the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood has intensified, with the National Conference (NC) accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a “smear campaign” to shift public attention away from what it calls the Union Territory’s most important political issue.
Addressing reporters, senior NC leaders alleged that the BJP has deliberately amplified controversies surrounding government jobs, outsourcing and governance in an attempt to dominate the political narrative and weaken the growing demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s full statehood.
The BJP, however, has consistently maintained that governance, transparency, accountability and employment remain legitimate issues that deserve public scrutiny. The party has not accepted the NC’s allegation that these debates are intended to distract from the statehood question.
NC: Statehood Must Remain the Central Political Issue
The National Conference said that the restoration of statehood continues to be the foremost aspiration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the party, recent political debates should not overshadow what it describes as the constitutional and democratic issue at the heart of the region’s future.
NC leaders argued that while governance and employment are important matters, they should not be used to divert attention from the commitment made by the Union Government to restore statehood at an appropriate time.
The party asserted that its political campaign will continue to focus on securing the restoration of an elected state’s constitutional status.
What Triggered the Latest Political Exchange?
The latest war of words follows recent political disagreements over issues relating to:
- Recruitment and employment policies.
- Outsourcing of government services.
- Administrative functioning.
- Governance and public accountability.
The NC alleges that these controversies are being projected disproportionately to change the political conversation.
According to the party, the larger constitutional issue of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood should remain at the centre of public debate.
The BJP, meanwhile, has continued to question the National Conference’s governance record and has defended its criticism of the current administration on policy and administrative grounds.
Statehood Continues to Dominate J&K Politics
Since the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, the demand for restoring statehood has remained one of the most significant political issues in the Union Territory.
Several political parties, including the National Conference, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other regional formations, have repeatedly called for the early restoration of statehood.
The Union Government has on multiple occasions stated that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time, although no specific timeline has been announced.
This commitment has remained a recurring subject of political debate, particularly ahead of major political developments in the region.
NC’s Political Strategy
The National Conference says it intends to keep public attention focused on constitutional and democratic issues rather than what it describes as politically motivated distractions.
According to party leaders, the demand for statehood enjoys broad public support across different regions of Jammu and Kashmir and should remain the primary issue guiding political discourse.
The party has also called on opposition groups to remain united on constitutional questions rather than becoming divided over secondary political controversies.
BJP’s Position
While responding to criticism from the opposition on various occasions, the BJP has consistently argued that governance reforms, infrastructure development, investment, employment generation and transparency remain central to its political agenda in Jammu and Kashmir.
The party has also maintained that discussions on public administration and recruitment are legitimate matters of public interest and should not be viewed as attempts to divert attention from constitutional issues.
Regarding statehood, the BJP continues to refer to the Union Government’s assurance that it will be restored at an appropriate stage after the completion of the ongoing democratic and administrative processes.
Why the Debate Matters
Constitutional Significance
The restoration of statehood is one of the most consequential constitutional issues in Jammu and Kashmir’s contemporary politics. It concerns the region’s administrative structure, powers of governance and the functioning of elected institutions.
Political Narrative Ahead of Future Developments
As political activity increases, parties are expected to compete not only over policy but also over which issues dominate public discussion.
The National Conference wants the focus to remain on constitutional restoration, while the BJP continues to highlight governance, development and administrative performance.
This contest over political messaging is likely to shape public discourse in the coming months.
Public Expectations
For many residents, issues such as employment, development, governance and constitutional status are interconnected rather than mutually exclusive.
While political parties differ on priorities and approaches, these subjects remain central to public expectations from both the elected government and the Union administration.
The Road Ahead
The exchange between the National Conference and the BJP highlights the continuing contest over the political agenda in Jammu and Kashmir.
For the NC, restoring statehood remains the defining constitutional objective and the central theme of its political campaign. The BJP, on the other hand, continues to emphasize governance, accountability and development while reiterating that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time.
As political engagement intensifies in the coming weeks, debates over governance, employment and constitutional status are expected to remain at the forefront of Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape. Whether the conversation is ultimately driven by statehood, governance or both will likely shape the direction of political discourse across the Union Territory.
Editorial Note: This report presents the claims and positions of the National Conference and the Bharatiya Janata Party based on their public statements. The allegations of a “smear campaign” are political claims made by the NC and have not been independently verified.
