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The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir acknowledged that his party is ‘waiting patiently’ for the Centre to fulfil its commitment regarding statehood
Abdullah underscored that the local populace, particularly following the elections late last year, is eager for its demands to be met, including the desire to see its elected representatives, such as National Conference MLA Altaf Kaloo, take on ministerial roles. File image/PTI
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah warned on Saturday that his party would approach the Supreme Court of India if there was any further significant delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing reporters in Kokernag after a party workers’ meeting, Abdullah expressed the widespread local desire for an immediate resolution of their issues, which he said is hindered by the region’s current union territory status.
Abdullah underscored that the local populace, particularly following the elections late last year, is eager for its demands to be met, including the desire to see its elected representatives, such as National Conference MLA Altaf Kaloo, take on ministerial roles. However, he noted that these aspirations cannot be realised until full statehood is restored. He expressed hope that the restoration of statehood would also return “all the powers” previously enjoyed by the region.
The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir acknowledged that his party is “waiting patiently” for the Centre to fulfil its commitment regarding statehood. However, he warned that if the central government “takes a long time”, the National Conference would have “no option but to go to the Supreme Court”.
Several mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir are frustrated over the prolonged delay in reversing the 2019 decision that stripped the erstwhile state of its special status under Article 370 and bifurcated it into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
The Supreme Court, in its December 2023 verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370, had directed the Election Commission of India to take necessary steps to hold elections in the assembly by September 30, 2024, and urged the government to restore statehood at an early date. Despite the recent assembly elections, statehood remains elusive.
(With PTI inputs)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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