Statehood Debate Heats Up: BJP Criticizes J&K CM

BJP General Secretary Tarun Chugh accuses Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah of politicizing statehood restoration. Meanwhile, the J&K Cabinet unanimously urges the Union Government to restore statehood. Omar Abdullah plans to discuss the issue with PM Modi. PDP criticizes the resolution for falling short on addressing Article 370.

The debate over statehood restoration in Jammu and Kashmir has intensified with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Tarun Chugh accusing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of politicizing the issue. Chugh, speaking to ANI, asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are committed to fulfilling their promise of statehood restoration, but Abdullah's actions are creating unnecessary controversy.

On October 19, the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, led by CM Omar Abdullah, passed a unanimous resolution urging the Union Government to restore the state's previous status. The resolution emphasizes a return to the original statehood, and Abdullah is expected to meet the Prime Minister and Union Ministers soon in New Delhi to pursue this matter.

The move has drawn criticism from People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Parra, who took to social media platform X to voice concerns. Parra criticized what he perceived as a lack of focus on Article 370, arguing the resolution's emphasis on statehood falls short. Meanwhile, the J&K Cabinet has set plans for the Legislative Assembly to convene in Srinagar on November 4, appointing Mubarik Gul as Protem Speaker to administer oaths on October 21. This development follows the recent assembly elections where the NC-Congress alliance emerged victorious.

(With inputs from agencies.)