Lagatar24 Desk
Srinagar: National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah has reiterated his firm stance on the restoration of Article 370, calling it “foolish” to expect the BJP, the party responsible for its removal, to restore it. However, he stressed that his party would not abandon the issue and would continue to keep the conversation alive, waiting for a potential change in India’s government that could allow for discussions on the matter.
Omar Abdullah’s Firm Stand on Article 370 Restoration
Speaking after the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, in which the NC-Congress alliance secured a victory, Mr. Abdullah confirmed that the party’s stance on Article 370 remains unchanged. “We have never said we will remain silent on Article 370. Hoping for its restoration from the very people who removed it is foolish, but we will keep the issue alive,” he said.
Call for Restoration of Statehood
Mr. Abdullah also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill his promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was stripped in 2019 along with the abrogation of Article 370. The restoration of statehood was a key election plank for the NC-Congress alliance in the recently concluded polls. “The Prime Minister is an honorable man, and I hope he lives up to his word,” he added, referring to PM Modi’s public promises made during parliamentary debates and rallies.
Election Results Seen as Rejection of BJP’s Policies
Omar Abdullah viewed the election results, which saw the National Conference win 42 seats in the 90-member Assembly, as a strong rejection of the BJP’s 2019 decision to scrap Article 370. He noted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly those in the Kashmir region, had overwhelmingly voted against the BJP, demonstrating their dissatisfaction with the party’s policies.
A Hopeful Outlook for the Future
Mr. Abdullah remains optimistic that with a change in government at the national level, the possibility of restoring Article 370 and addressing Jammu and Kashmir’s political future could be revisited. He also urged the Prime Minister to proceed with the restoration of statehood without delay, as promised.
Strained Relations with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha
However, Mr. Abdullah raised concerns about the strained relationship between the current administration in Jammu and Kashmir and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, urging the LG to foster better relations with the newly elected government to ensure smooth governance.
