Omar Abdullah
National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah has said that asking the BJP to restore Article 370, the very party responsible for its abrogation, is “foolish.” However, he emphasized that this will not stop his party from keeping the issue at the forefront and continuing their efforts for its restoration.
Mr. Abdullah’s remarks came after the NC-Congress alliance won the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The NC secured 42 seats, forming a majority in the 90-member Assembly with Congress.
Firm on Article 370 Issue
“Our political stance remains unchanged. We have never said we would be silent on Article 370. It is still a significant issue for us,” Abdullah stated. He pointed out that it would be unrealistic to expect the BJP, which abrogated Article 370 in 2019, to restore it. “Hoping for its restoration from those who took it away is foolish. But we will keep the issue alive, talk about it, and hope for a government change in the future,” he added, indicating hope for discussions with a different government in the coming years.
Urges PM Modi to Restore Statehood
Abdullah also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill his promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was stripped when Article 370 was abrogated. “The Prime Minister is an honorable man, and I trust he will stand by his word,” Abdullah said in an interview. The restoration of statehood was a central issue in the NC-Congress election campaign, and Abdullah emphasized that it should not be linked to the BJP’s presence in the J&K government.
“The PM never said that statehood would be restored only if the BJP is in power here. The people of J&K have spoken, and now the Prime Minister should be magnanimous and restore statehood without delay,” Abdullah stated.
Election Results Reject BJP’s Policies
Reflecting on the election outcome, Abdullah described it as a clear rejection of the BJP’s 2019 decision to revoke Article 370. The NC’s success in securing 42 seats was seen as an indication of strong public discontent, especially in Kashmir, which overwhelmingly voted against the BJP.
Omar Abdullah himself won both Budgam and Ganderbal seats, marking a significant recovery after his setback in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. As J&K prepares for a new government, Abdullah stressed the need for a “healthy working relationship” with New Delhi.
However, he flagged concerns over the strained relationship between the new government and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Abdullah urged the LG to foster better cooperation with the incoming administration for the welfare of the region.
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