Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that he has written to political parties with a significant presence in Parliament, urging them to push for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar said he has formally reached out to several parties, requesting their support so that a bill is introduced during the ongoing session of Parliament.
“I have written letters to all parties with a large number of honourable MPs in Parliament asking them to help us so that the promise (made by the Central government) on restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is fulfilled,” the CM told media in Srinagar.
He hoped that parliamentarians would raise this issue so that a bill would be introduced during the ongoing session of the Parliament and the people of Jammu and Kashmir get the status of a state again.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the restoration of statehood is not a matter concerning an individual, a party, or a government, but a commitment made to the people of J&K.
“This promise was made in public rallies, in Parliament, and even before the Supreme Court. Now we want this promise to be fulfilled,” he remarked.
It is learnt that Omar has written to presidents of all national and regional parties, including NDA allies, over restoration of statehood. He reminded them that Prime Minister and Home Minister have made repeated assurances, both within Parliament and in public forums, that statehood will be restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to list a hearing on restoration of statehood on August 8.
“It is a good thing that the date has been fixed. I hope the Supreme Court will give due attention to this issue,” he said. The Chief Minister said when the SC announced the decision on abrogation of Article 370, they made it clear that J&K should get statehood “as soon as possible.”
“It has been years since to “as soon as possible” and we haven’t got it yet,” he added.
He credited the Supreme Court for ensuring the timely conduct of assembly elections in J&K last year.
“Had the court not set a timeline, I wouldn’t be addressing you today as a Chief Minister. Elections happened because the Supreme Court fixed a deadline,” Omar said, expressing hope that the Supreme Court will now also intervene to expedite the restoration of statehood, if the government doesn’t do it.
