Omar Abdullah Urges PM Modi to Fulfill Promise on J&K Statehood
Srinagar, Oct 9, KNT: Jammu and Kashmir’s National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah has deemed it “foolish” to expect the restoration of Article 370 from the BJP-led government, which revoked it in 2019. He emphasized that his party’s stance remains unchanged, and they will continue to push for J&K’s interests.
Omar Abdullah expressed his hope for a future change in government, allowing for meaningful discussions on Article 370’s restoration. “We will keep this issue alive. We hope that one day the government will change, the Prime Minister will change, and there will be a new setup with whom we can discuss Article 370 and get something for J&K,” he stated.
Regarding statehood, Omar Abdullah urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honor his commitment to restore J&K’s statehood, emphasizing that it is not conditional upon the BJP forming the government in J&K. “The Prime Minister is an honourable man, and I hope he will live up to his word by restoring statehood without delay,” Abdullah said.
On his potential appointment as Chief Minister, Abdullah acknowledged his father Farooq Abdullah’s endorsement but stressed that the decision lies with the legislators and the alliance. “It is a decision of the alliance to make, finally, the say has to be of the legislators,” he told reporters in Srinagar.
Omar Abdullah outlined two priorities for the incoming government: legislative and government-related. He suggested passing a resolution asking for statehood restoration and traveling to Delhi to request the central government’s fulfillment of their promise. [KNT]
