Srinagar:Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, on Wednesday said the biggest challenge facing the Union Territory is the delay in restoring its statehood, despite the Supreme Court’s assurance. He described the prolonged denial of statehood as an “unfortunate” betrayal of commitments made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar Abdullah recalled the sequence of events that unfolded after the abrogation of Article 370. “First came the delimitation exercise, then elections were promised, but statehood continues to remain pending. It is unfortunate that despite the assurance of the Supreme Court, this right has not been restored,” he said.
The Chief Minister went further to criticise the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of opposing the restoration of statehood to J&K. “What is more unfortunate is that the BJP itself is opposing it. On one hand, they say democracy is flourishing in Jammu and Kashmir, but on the other hand, they resist giving back what rightfully belongs to the people,” Omar Abdullah remarked. [KNT]
