CM Omar Abdullah willing to recommend Assembly dissolution for restoration of J&K Statehood
Srinagar, June 24 (KINS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday strongly asserted that he has no objection to the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly and the holding of fresh elections, if it paves the way for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters in the hill resort of Gulmarg, Omar said that statehood is a right of the people, not a privilege for political leaders.
“I read a report in a newspaper saying that statehood will be restored, but fresh elections will have to be held. Let them do it—who’s stopping them?” he said.
“This statehood isn’t for MLAs or for any government. It belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He accused certain quarters of deliberately planting stories in the media to create fear among legislators.
“I know where that story came from and who got it published. It was done to intimidate MLAs. But let me make this clear—if the Assembly needs to be dissolved to restore statehood, we are ready. The day statehood is reinstated, we’ll go straight to the Governor and recommend fresh elections,” he said.
Calling the restoration of statehood a long-pending demand, Omar Abdullah emphasized that no amount of political maneuvering would deter their resolve.
“Don’t try to scare us with planted stories. It won’t work. Statehood is our right—return it to the people,” he said.(KINS)
