SRINAGAR: Chief Minister of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) Omar Abdullah has revealed that discussions on restoring the Union Territory’s statehood should conclude so that people get what they have been demanding.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah was of the view that people have been waiting for this and it is time their demand is fulfilled.
“Let there be discussions, it is a good thing. But we would want the discussions to conclude soon and that we get what we are demanding,” he said.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a special national integration camp organised by the Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh NCC Directorate.
The restoration of statehood is doing the round lately with reports suggesting that the Centre was actively working for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Reports said that statehood could be restored with the need for holding fresh elections.
Reacting to reports, Abdullah said if holding of fresh elections was necessary for the restoration of statehood, he was ready to step aside. However, he also dismissed such reports as “planted stories”.
Jammu and Kashmir lost its statehood and limited autonomy after the Centre abrogated Article 370 in 2019. The BJP promised to restore statehood after delimitation and elections. Both the conditions have been met but the issue of statehood continues to hang fire.
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