India
Omar Abdullah: resolution on statehood will be adopted at first cabinet meeting | India News – Times of India
Omar reiterated NC’s long-standing demand for restoration of J&K’s statehood, which was withdrawn in 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370. ‘The first task of the new cabinet should be to pass a resolution promoting restoration is required of the state. Perhaps we should travel to Delhi with that resolution and call on the senior leaders of the country to fulfill their promise to J&K, and not to any particular party or government.”
Abdullah said NC would convene a meeting of the legislative party on Thursday to start the government formation process.
In addressing the contentious issue of Article 370, Omar acknowledged the political reality but vowed to keep the conversation alive. “We will not fool people by promising something that we cannot immediately deliver. However, we will continue to discuss Article 370 and hope that a future government at the national level will be willing to engage with us on this issue,” he said.
When asked if the PDP would be part of the coalition government, Omar said there were no discussions on that at the moment. “PDP did not approach us nor did we contact them. If at some point a communication channel opens up, we will talk to them. But it is not a priority for us at the moment,” he added.
Meanwhile, Omar’s son Zamir Abdullah took on the Center for “trying to stop Omar from contesting elections” and “weakening NC”.
“Their strategy was to keep him away from participating in the polls. However, people saw through this and voted for him and the party,” Zamir said.
Zamir had campaigned for his father in the run-up to the elections, especially in Ganderbal, where he had emphasized on the restoration of Article 370 and the state. Omar won from Ganderbal and Budgam and will have to vacate one of the two seats.
