Omar Abdullah on Monday questioned the Centre over the delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying there was “no clear answer” despite repeated assurances.
Addressing a public rally in Nowshera, Abdullah urged the BJP-led central government to specify a timeline and conditions for restoring statehood. “They say ‘at the right time’. What does that mean?” he asked.
The chief minister said the Centre had promised restoration of statehood at multiple forums, including Parliament and the Supreme Court, but had yet to present a clear roadmap. “If it is your promise, does your word have no value?” he remarked.
Abdullah added that people across political lines had voted with expectations that statehood would be restored and termed the delay as an “injustice.” He pointed out that processes such as delimitation and elections had already been completed, questioning why statehood had not followed.
“Today, one and a half years have passed; we are asking: where is that promise?” he said.
He also raised concerns over the implementation of women’s reservation and criticized the delimitation exercise, alleging it had resulted in disproportionate political advantage.
The remarks have once again brought the issue of statehood restoration to the forefront of political discourse in the Union Territory.
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