Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed deep disappointment over the prolonged delay in restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, saying that hopes for its return are fading with each passing day.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Abdullah said, “I have been hopeful about the restoration of statehood from day one. However, as the delay continues, those hopes are fading with each passing day.”
Just a day earlier, on October 26, Chief Minister Abdullah had warned that he would resign as Chief Minister if statehood was not restored within a “finite timeline,” a statement that has intensified political discussions in the region.
Reacting to remarks attributed to Member of Parliament Mian Altaf, Chief Minister Abdullah clarified, “I spoke to Mian Altaf Sahab over the phone yesterday. He told me he hasn’t said what is being reported in the media. He only advised me to speak patiently and carefully when it comes to the CM’s position.”
When asked about a similar statement made by MP Aga Ruhullah, Chief Minister Abdullah said, “Why are you comparing Mian Sahib with him? There’s a ‘zameen-aasman’ difference between Aga Ruhullah and Mian Altaf.”
Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood was revoked on August 5, 2019, when the central government revoked its special status under Article 370 and reorganized the region into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Although the Supreme Court in December 2023 upheld the constitutionality of the move and directed the central government to restore statehood, it did not specify a timeline. The Centre has maintained that statehood will be reinstated at an “appropriate time,” but Chief Minister Abdullah and other regional leaders continue to press for a definite deadline.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: ZEE News
