Dachigam turns political-media hub

Srinagar, Jun 3: The quiet wilderness of Dachigam National Park on Wednesday turned into an unusual political and media hub as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led a high-level review meeting along with ministers, MLAs and senior National Conference leaders.
For several hours, the entrance of the park resembled a live broadcast zone rather than a wildlife destination, with rows of OB vans, camera crews and a heavy presence of security personnel and political leaders.
According to reports, the National Conference leadership assembled at Gupkar in the morning before moving to Dachigam for a closed-door governance review and stock-taking exercise.
Inside, discussions focused on the government’s performance over the past 19 months, covering political, developmental and organisational issues. Outside the gates, television reporters delivered continuous live updates, with camera teams stationed amid heightened activity.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a post on X, described the exercise as a review of “the good, the not so good and everything in between.”
The choice of venue drew attention from both political circles and the media. Journalists on the ground described the setting as unusual, noting the rare convergence of politics and media in a location typically known for its serene environment.
“Usually we cover such meetings at party offices or government buildings. Today, the entire setup shifted to Dachigam. It was unusual but visually striking,” Taha Wani, a Srinagar-based journalist said.
Another reporter said the scene, marked by constant live updates and the movement of political leaders, briefly turned Dachigam into the Valley’s media focal point.
The meeting concluded after nearly nine hours of deliberations. During the session, the party also finalised its plan to stage a protest in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, reiterating its demand for restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees. (KNO)