Ganesh Kendale
SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the new govt will pass a resolution demanding the restoration of J&K’s statehood in its very first cabinet meeting. “Govt should then take that resolution to the PM,” Omar told mediapersons.
Omar reiterated NC’s long-standing demand for restoration of J&K’s statehood, which was revoked in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370.”The first business of the new cabinet must be to pass a resolution demanding the restoration of statehood. Chief minister, whoever it may be, should travel to Delhi with that resolution and call on the senior leadership of the country to fulfil their promise. Statehood was promised to J&K – not to any particular party or govt.”
Abdullah said NC would call a meeting of the legislative party on Thursday to start the process of govt formation.
Addressing the contentious issue of Article 370, Omar acknowledged the political realities but vowed to keep the conversation alive. “We will not fool people by promising something we cannot deliver immediately. However, we will continue to talk about Article 370 and hope that a future govt at the national level will be willing to engage with us on this matter,” he said.
Asked if PDP would be a part of the coalition govt, Omar said there were no discussions over that as of now. “PDP has not approached us, nor have we reached out to them. At some point of time, if a channel of communication opens, we will talk to them. But it is not a priority for us right now,” he added.
Meanwhile, Omar’s son Zamir Abdullah took on the Centre for “trying to keep Omar from contesting elections” and “weaken NC”.
“It was their strategy to keep him away from contesting polls. People, however, saw through it and voted for him and the party,” Zamir said.
Zamir had campaigned for his father in the run up to the polls, especially in Ganderbal, during which he had emphasised on restoration of Article 370 and statehood. Omar won from Ganderbal and Budgam and will have to vacate one of the two seats.
