Srinagar, July 15 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the National Conference will leave for New Delhi on July 19 even if the permission is not granted for the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, the chief minister, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the party’s stand on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s “snatched rights” remains firm. “There will be no change in our programme. Dr Mustafa Kamal also wanted our snatched rights to be restored,” Omar said.

He said the party had decided to continue with its scheduled political programmes even when Dr Kamal’s health deteriorated on July 11. “Doctors had then told us that perhaps he would not survive. Even at that time, National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah instructed us that whatever happens, we have to continue with our Jammu programme on July 12. If we did not cancel that programme, there is no question of cancelling the July 20 protest,” he said.

Omar said he has already informed party leaders to leave for New Delhi on July 19 even if permission is not granted for the protest.

The Chief Minister said the National Conference would continue to exercise patience while also keeping alternative plans ready. “We know how to remain patient. We will wait, but we will also keep our alternate plan ready,” he said—(KNO)