J&K L-G Manoj Sinha approves Omar Abdullah's resolution for statehood restoration
- In Reports
- 05:22 PM, Oct 19, 2024
- Myind Staff
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha approved a resolution passed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's cabinet on Saturday, asking the central government to restore statehood to the Union Territory, which was taken away in 2019.
According to an official spokeswoman who spoke to the news agency PTI, "the cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Omar Abdullah on Thursday passed a unanimous resolution for restoration of statehood in its original form."
On August 5, 2019, the Center revoked Article 370, separating the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Although they did not elaborate, officials did affirm that the LG had approved the cabinet's resolution. The statehood restoration, according to the spokesperson, would be the first step toward reconciliation, with the people of Jammu and Kashmir regaining their constitutional rights and preserving their identity.
According to the spokesperson, the cabinet has also directed the LG to call and address the Legislative Assembly, which will meet in Srinagar on November 4. Sinha's endorsement follows the passage of the resolution calling for the restoration of statehood at a cabinet meeting on Friday.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Sakeena Masood Itoo, Javaid Ahmad Dar, Javed Ahmad Rana, and Satish Sharma. The decision solely on statehood, rather than Article 370, was characterised by political parties on Friday as an "utter surrender" and a shift from the position of the ruling National Conference.
The NC was reminded of its poll pledge to "strive to restore (Articles) 370-35A and statehood as prior to August 5, 2019" by various political parties, including the People's Democratic Party (PDP), People's Conference (PC), and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), which condemned the action as a break from the pre-election stance.
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