When he left for Delhi, Farooq was prepared not just for a discussion on the autonomy issue, but also on several other points which, according to him, reflect the Centre's stepmotherly treatment of the Centre. While the Jammu project has been cleared, Srinagar's proposal is stuck with the Union Home Ministry, says Farooq. The Cabinet was to decide on granting permission for international airports in seven cities. While six airports have been cleared, Srinagar's case is stuck. A belligerent Farooq also went to the extent of blaming the Home Ministry for engineering the agitation in Leh against his Government even though the local NC president, Sonam Narboo, also took part in the stir.
Autonomy is our legitimate right.
I don't see why the skies fall when we raise this demand. But his talks with Vajpayee will have a bearing on the resolution that the Assembly will finally adopt. The special session, which has been extended till early next week, is likely to endorse the report and forward it to the Centre. The special session of the Assembly was called because the NC felt the Centre was trying to place the report on the backburner. First introduced in the House in April last year, copies of the report were also sent to the Union Home Ministry.