The News Craving
Srinagar:
The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) cabinet will pass a resolution seeking the restoration of statehood from the Centre.
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah expressed his optimism that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would honor his commitment to restoring J&K’s statehood, a promise that has been echoed by NC partner, Congress as well.
Speaking to the media, Abdullah highlighted the difference between Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi. He pointed out that while Delhi was never a full state, Jammu and Kashmir held statehood before 2019, and its restoration has been repeatedly assured. “The Prime Minister, Home Minister, and senior BJP ministers have assured us that three steps would be taken in J&K – delimitation, elections, and then statehood,” Abdullah said.
“Delimitation and elections are done; now only statehood remains. After a government is formed here, I hope the cabinet’s first decision will be to pass a resolution for granting statehood, which will then be presented to the Prime Minister.”
“I expect the Prime Minister to be an honourable man and live up to the promise of restoring statehood,” he stated, adding that nowhere in parliamentary discussions was there a mention of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government being a prerequisite for statehood restoration.
