Reflective, combative and unapologetic in equal measure, Wani argues that the battle for Jammu and Kashmir's political rights remains unfinished and that the coming months may prove crucial in determining the direction of that struggle.
Excerpts
KNS: Nearly two years after the Assembly elections, many people feel the expectations generated during the campaign have not been fully realised. How do you assess the situation?
Nasir Aslam: The elections in Jammu and Kashmir were not ordinary elections. People participated enthusiastically because they believed they were voting for the restoration of a democratic process and for the promises that had been made to them. There was a clear political sequence that people were told about—first delimitation, then elections, and thereafter restoration of statehood.
People embraced that process with hope. They felt that after years of uncertainty, they were finally being offered a democratic path towards regaining their dignity and political rights. That is why voter participation was significant and the mandate was decisive.
Naturally, when expectations are high, people also want to see progress. We understand that sentiment. But it is equally important to understand that some issues cannot be resolved unilaterally by the elected government of Jammu and Kashmir. Statehood is one such issue. It requires a decision at the national level, and our responsibility is to continue pursuing it through democratic and constitutional means.
KNS: Critics argue that the National Conference has become too patient with New Delhi and has not pushed hard enough for the restoration of statehood. How do you respond?
Nasir Aslam: That criticism ignores the approach we adopted from day one. Omar Abdullah made it clear that he wanted to maintain a constructive working relationship with the Government of India while simultaneously reminding it of its commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Whenever opportunities arose, the issue of statehood was raised. Whether during meetings with senior leaders of the Government of India, public addresses or interactions at various levels, the National Conference consistently reminded New Delhi of the promise that had been made.
The question is not whether we pursued statehood. The question is how we pursued it.
Some people believe confrontation should be the first option. We believe dialogue should be the first option. If an issue can be resolved through engagement and mutual understanding, that path should always be explored before anything else.
However, patience should not be mistaken for silence, nor should constructive engagement be interpreted as surrender.
KNS: Is that why the party has now decided to take its campaign for statehood to Delhi?
Nasir Aslam: We have reached a stage where it is necessary to remind the nation of the commitment made to Jammu and Kashmir.
For a considerable period, we relied on dialogue and institutional engagement. We believed that the assurances given would be honoured within a reasonable timeframe. But as time passes, people naturally begin asking questions, and rightly so.
As representatives of the people, we are accountable to them. We cannot simply remain passive when those who elected us seek answers.
The proposed programme in Delhi is therefore not an act of confrontation; it is a democratic exercise. We want to peacefully remind the country, its institutions and its leadership that a promise was made and that promises made to people in a democracy should be honoured.
We are not asking for something extraordinary. We are seeking the fulfilment of a commitment that was repeatedly made.
KNS: Opposition parties claim that the National Conference has shifted from its original political positions and is no longer pursuing its larger constitutional agenda with the same intensity.
Nasir Aslam: I completely disagree with that assessment.
Our political position has remained unchanged. The National Conference has never abandoned its commitment to the restoration of the rights and constitutional guarantees that were taken away in 2019. Those commitments remain intact.
However, politics also requires realism and strategy.
When something has been taken away from you, the first step is to recover what existed before you can move forward. Today, statehood is the immediate democratic objective before us. That does not mean we have forgotten our larger political position or altered our ideological commitments.
Our destination remains the same. What has changed is the sequence in which we are pursuing our objectives.
Unfortunately, some political parties attempt to present this as a compromise. It is not. It is a strategic and democratic approach towards achieving our goals.
KNS: Some opposition leaders argue that if the elected government feels constrained and unable to fulfil its promises, it should resign rather than continue in office. What is your response?
Nasir Aslam: That argument is politically convenient but practically meaningless.
People elected us to represent them and to fight for their interests. Walking away from that responsibility would not help the people of Jammu and Kashmir in any manner.
The role of an elected government is not to abandon the field when challenges arise. The role of an elected government is to continue engaging, negotiating, advocating and working for the rights of its people.
Those demanding resignation perhaps underestimate the responsibility that comes with a public mandate. The people did not elect us to surrender. They elected us to persist.
We intend to honour that responsibility.
KNS: What message does the National Conference want to send through its planned mobilisation in Delhi?
Nasir Aslam: The message is very simple: Jammu and Kashmir has waited patiently, acted responsibly and participated fully in the democratic process.
Now the people expect movement on the promises that were made to them.
The proposed programme is only the beginning of a broader democratic effort. We will continue to use every constitutional and democratic avenue available to us. We will engage with political parties, public representatives and institutions across the country.
This is not merely a National Conference issue. Statehood concerns every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of political affiliation.
We believe the voice of the people deserves to be heard, and we intend to ensure that it is.
KNS: Much of the opposition's criticism centres around the allegation that the National Conference has softened its position towards the BJP and New Delhi. How do you view these accusations?
Nasir Aslam: Opposition parties have every right to criticise the government. That is their democratic role. However, criticism should be based on facts rather than political imagination.
The National Conference's position regarding the BJP has remained consistent. We have ideological differences, political differences and historical differences. There has been no ambiguity in our stand.
What surprises me is that some of the parties making these allegations are the very parties whose political decisions contributed significantly to the situation Jammu and Kashmir finds itself in today.
It is easy to make accusations. It is much harder to acknowledge one's own role in shaping events.
KNS: You have repeatedly referred to the PDP-BJP alliance of 2014. Why do you believe that alliance remains relevant to the current political discourse?
Nasir Aslam: Because history matters.
When political parties seek accountability from others, they must also be willing to account for their own actions. The alliance between the PDP and BJP was not an accidental development. It was a conscious political decision.
The BJP had never hidden its ideological agenda. Its position on Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional status was publicly known. There was no ambiguity about what it intended to pursue if given the opportunity.
Despite that, the PDP chose to enter into an alliance and share power with the BJP. That partnership gave the BJP both legitimacy and political space within Jammu and Kashmir's governance structure.
Today, when those same leaders accuse the National Conference of being soft on the BJP, people have every right to ask them about their own political choices.
History cannot be selectively remembered.
KNS: Are you suggesting that the developments of August 2019 can be traced back to those political decisions?
Nasir Aslam: What I am saying is that political actions have consequences.
Many of the doors that were opened during that period should never have been opened. The National Conference had warned against such experiments. We had cautioned that certain political arrangements could have long-term implications for Jammu and Kashmir.
Unfortunately, those warnings were ignored.
Even today, rather than reflecting on those decisions, some people prefer to accuse others. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve a more honest political conversation.
KNS: Yet the allegation persists that the National Conference could eventually align with the BJP if circumstances require. How do you respond?
Nasir Aslam: We have answered that question repeatedly.
I have often used a simple analogy. The National Conference and the BJP are like two railway tracks. They may run parallel, but they can never merge.
Our political philosophies are fundamentally different. Our vision for Jammu and Kashmir is different. Our historical experiences are different.
Therefore, the suggestion that the National Conference is preparing to join hands with the BJP is nothing more than political propaganda.
Some parties continue to promote this narrative because they want to create confusion among the people. But confusion cannot replace facts.
Our position remains exactly where it has always been.
KNS: Opposition leaders argue that the National Conference has not delivered enough despite receiving a strong mandate from the people.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Nasir Aslam: Every opposition party is entitled to its opinion. However, people should also evaluate the overall environment in which governance is taking place.
After years of political uncertainty, democratic institutions are functioning again. Elected representatives are accessible. Ministers are accountable. The Chief Minister is accessible to the public. MLAs are able to raise issues and seek solutions.
People sometimes forget how different the situation was only a few years ago.
Does that mean every problem has been solved? Certainly not. But it does mean that democratic processes are functioning and that people once again have political institutions through which they can voice their concerns.
That itself represents a significant change.
KNS: You have often said that the opposition should support certain issues even while opposing the government. What do you mean by that?
Nasir Aslam: Opposition is necessary in a democracy, but opposition should not become opposition for its own sake.
Take the issue of statehood. Statehood is not a National Conference demand alone. It concerns every political party, every institution and every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir.
When the issue affects everyone, political differences should not prevent collective action.
If a house catches fire, it does not burn only one room. The entire structure is affected. Similarly, if Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional and political interests are weakened, the consequences are not limited to one political party.
That is why we believe certain issues require a larger consensus.
KNS: How would you describe the National Conference's relationship with the Congress at present?
Nasir Aslam: Our relationship with the Congress remains cordial and constructive.
We continue to work together within the broader framework of the INDIA alliance. At both the national and regional levels, communication remains open and respectful.
Political parties may have their own priorities and internal discussions, but as far as our engagement with the Congress is concerned, there are no issues of concern.
Whenever matters affecting Jammu and Kashmir have been raised, we have found understanding and support among our allies.
KNS: Do you expect support from INDIA alliance partners during the National Conference's statehood campaign?
Nasir Aslam: We certainly hope so.
The leadership of the National Conference has already discussed these issues with alliance partners. We believe that the restoration of democratic rights and statehood should not be viewed through a narrow partisan lens.
This is a constitutional and democratic issue.
We will engage with political leaders across the country and seek support wherever possible. Ultimately, any effort aimed at strengthening democratic institutions should attract broad support.
That is the approach we intend to follow.
KNS: The June 3 meeting of National Conference legislators generated considerable political speculation. Was there dissatisfaction within the party?
Nasir Aslam: I think the media and our political opponents were far more concerned about that meeting than the party itself.
In any democratic organisation, consultation is both natural and necessary. The National Conference is a political party with elected representatives, ministers and legislators who are directly connected with the people. They regularly receive feedback from their constituencies and naturally there must be a forum where those concerns can be discussed.
Unfortunately, some people interpreted a routine consultative exercise as a sign of rebellion or internal crisis. That is simply not true.
If elected representatives sit together, discuss governance issues and offer suggestions to improve performance, that should be viewed as a sign of organisational strength rather than weakness.
KNS: But reports suggested that several legislators expressed concerns regarding governance and implementation. Should that be seen as discontent?
Nasir Aslam: Constructive criticism and discontent are two very different things.
No government anywhere in the world functions perfectly. If legislators bring ground-level feedback to the Chief Minister, that is not rebellion—it is responsible politics.
In fact, I would argue that a system where people can openly express concerns is healthier than a system where everyone remains silent and grievances continue to accumulate.
The Chief Minister encouraged open discussion. People spoke freely, suggestions were made and decisions were taken regarding the future course of action. That is exactly how democratic politics should function.
I am surprised that something so positive was projected by some sections as evidence of a crisis.
KNS: The meeting attracted even greater attention after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's reference to a possible "cloudburst". What exactly did he mean?
Nasir Aslam: I think too much has been read into that remark.
Political observations are often interpreted differently by different audiences. What I can say is that the meeting itself was focused on consultation, governance and future strategy.
There was no extraordinary situation, no internal confrontation and certainly no crisis of the kind that some people tried to portray.
Sometimes political commentary acquires a life of its own, but the reality is often far less dramatic than the speculation surrounding it.
KNS: One issue that continues to generate discussion is the position of Agha Ruhullah within the party. Has there been a difference of opinion between him and the leadership?
Nasir Aslam: The National Conference is a large political organisation with leaders representing different regions, constituencies and experiences. Naturally, individuals may occasionally have different perspectives on specific issues.
However, political parties function through institutions, collective decisions and organisational discipline. They do not function according to the views of any single individual.
The National Conference has a long political tradition, a defined ideology and established decision-making mechanisms. Every leader, irrespective of position, operates within that framework.
Our strength lies in collective leadership and institutional continuity. That has been the defining feature of the party since the days of Sher-e-Kashmir.
KNS: Some observers believe Agha Ruhullah's recent statements indicate growing distance from the party's official position. How do you see it?
Nasir Aslam: I would not like to interpret another individual's views on his behalf.
What I can say is that the National Conference remains united in its commitment to its core principles. Every leader has the opportunity to express opinions within the party's democratic framework.
Ultimately, however, the party's direction is determined collectively and not individually.
The National Conference has survived and grown over decades precisely because it has always prioritised institutional strength over individual preferences.
KNS: There was considerable discussion about a possible cabinet expansion. Has any decision been taken?
Nasir Aslam: Cabinet expansion is entirely the prerogative of the Chief Minister.
When it should happen, how many people should be included and what considerations should guide such decisions are matters that fall exclusively within his domain.
There has been a great deal of speculation, but most of it is based on assumptions rather than facts.
Political observers, journalists and even party workers often try to anticipate such decisions, but the reality is that only the Chief Minister is authorised to make those choices.
Whenever he feels the time is appropriate, he will take a decision.
KNS: Does the delay in cabinet expansion create frustration among legislators who may be expecting larger roles?
Nasir Aslam: Ambition is a natural part of politics.
Anyone who contests elections and wins public support naturally wishes to contribute more actively to governance. There is nothing unusual about that.
However, ambition must operate within organisational discipline and collective responsibility.
Political parties cannot be run solely on the basis of individual expectations. Decisions have to be taken in the broader interest of governance, political stability and organisational cohesion.
The National Conference has always managed such matters through consultation and patience.
KNS: Corruption allegations continue to surface from time to time against governments and public institutions. How should such accusations be handled?
Nasir Aslam: Allegations alone cannot be treated as evidence.
In public life, it is very easy to accuse someone. What is far more difficult is proving those accusations through credible facts and evidence.
Any allegation of corruption must be investigated seriously. If evidence exists, action should be taken without hesitation. No one should be above accountability.
However, it is equally important to protect individuals and institutions from unsubstantiated accusations designed merely to create headlines or damage reputations.
A responsible democracy requires both accountability and fairness.
KNS: Finally, after nearly two years in office, how do you assess the government's performance?
Nasir Aslam: The ultimate verdict will not be delivered by me or by our political opponents. It will be delivered by the people.
We sought a mandate on the basis of a programme and a vision. Our responsibility is to work honestly, fulfil our commitments and serve the people to the best of our ability.
At the end of the term, the people will judge whether we succeeded or failed.
We remain confident that we are moving in the right direction. Our focus remains on governance, democratic rights, restoration of statehood and addressing the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ultimately, public trust is the only report card that matters in politics.
KNS: Thank you for having us
Nasir Aslam: Thank you