Omar Abdullah Demands Swift Return to Jammu and Kashmir Statehood

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the Bharatiya Janata Party to prioritize the restoration of J-K's statehood. Emphasizing constitutional guarantees and the Supreme Court's directive, Abdullah highlighted the National Conference's electoral promise and called for swift action, arguing that one year is ample time for restoration.

In a renewed call for political change, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday emphasized the urgency of restoring statehood to the region, addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) hesitance on the matter. Abdullah criticized the BJP for not taking action, despite their evident concern for J-K, underscoring the constitutional guarantee afforded by statehood.

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah highlighted the legislative assembly's resolution from November last year, which demanded a return to Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370. This resolution, opposed by the BJP, was nevertheless passed. Referencing the Supreme Court's recommendation for statehood restoration to be done 'as soon as possible,' he noted that one year since that judgment has been sufficient for decisive action.

Assessing his tenure, Abdullah stated, "We've been in power for more than two months and have acclimated to governing a union territory." He reaffirmed his party's commitment to electoral promises, urging the central government to expedite J-K's transition from a Union Territory back to a state, reflecting the public's electoral mandate. The chief minister stressed the National Conference's push for autonomy, as outlined in their manifesto, putting pressure on the BJP to act on their promises.

(With inputs from agencies.)