|
National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah on Saturday reaffirmed his confidence that Jammu and Kashmir (J-K)'s statehood will be restored, saying that the Indian government is "bound by the promise" made in Parliament.
"The statehood will happen. The government of India will have to give us statehood. They are bound by the promise they made in Parliament when I was a member. They will have to uphold that promise," Abdullah told reporters in Jammu. Abdullah had also reiterated his commitment to statehood restoration on March 6, saying, "Inshallah, statehood will come soon. It will come." Meanwhile, J-K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary strongly criticized former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti over her remarks on the region's political situation. "Mehbooba Mufti can say anything because she is the reason for the destruction of J-K. If J-K has lost its statehood and special status, it is because of her," Choudhary said. On March 3, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the budget session of the J-K assembly, where he mentioned that the union government remains committed to restoring full statehood to J-K. "One of the foremost aspirations of the Jammu and Kashmir people is the restoration of the full statehood. My government remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing this legitimate desire of the citizens of J-K," he said. "My government recognizes the emotional and political significance of the statehood for the people and is actively engaging with all stakeholders to facilitate this process in a manner that ensures peace, stability and progress," he added. The restoration of Article 370, the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, and the implementation of the autonomy resolution were key promises in the National Conference's manifesto for the J-K elections. In August 2019, the Central Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, repealed Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, effectively ending the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)
|
