Omar Abdullah: Seeking article 370 restoration from BJP is 'foolish,' but the fight will continue
- In Reports
- 05:02 PM, Oct 09, 2024
- Myind Staff
National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah has called it "foolish" to expect the BJP to restore Article 370, which they revoked in 2019. Despite this, Abdullah assured that his party will not abandon the issue and will continue their efforts to push for Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K) interests.
"Our political stand has not changed. We have never said that Article 370 is no longer an issue for us. But it is foolish to expect its restoration from those who removed it in the first place," said Abdullah. "We will keep this issue alive and hope that one day, there will be a change of government at the Centre with whom we can talk and get something for J&K," he added.
Abdullah's remarks came shortly after the NC-Congress alliance's victory in the 2024 J&K Assembly elections, where the coalition secured a majority. The NC won 42 out of 90 seats, reflecting a public rejection of the BJP's policies, particularly in Kashmir. Abdullah himself made a significant comeback, winning both the Budgam and Ganderbal seats, following his loss in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
During an interview with NDTV, Abdullah also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honour his previous commitment to restore J&K’s statehood, which was also a major election plank of the NC-Congress alliance. "The Prime Minister is an honourable man, and I hope he will live up to his word by restoring statehood without delay," Abdullah said, referring to Modi’s assurances in Parliament and at public rallies.
He rejected any notion that statehood was conditional upon the BJP forming the government in J&K. "Nowhere has the BJP ever said that first there will be their government, and only then statehood will be restored. The Prime Minister never said this. The people have spoken, and I hope the PM will now be magnanimous and restore statehood at the earliest," Abdullah emphasised.
In a sharp criticism of the BJP-led government, Abdullah stated that meaningful discussions on Article 370's restoration would not be possible unless there was a change in leadership at the Centre. "We hope that one day the government will change, the Prime Minister will change, and there will be a new setup with whom we can discuss Article 370 and get something for J&K," Abdullah stated, expressing his hope for a future shift in national politics.
Abdullah further highlighted the necessity of a "healthy working relationship" between J&K and New Delhi. He also urged the current Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to foster better ties with the newly elected government for the sake of the state’s smooth governance.
The NC leader stressed that while Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi have consistently focused on the issue of Article 370, the Abdullahs have emphasised development in J&K. While opposed to the abrogation of Article 370, Abdullah reaffirmed that their priority is the broader development and progress of the region.
"The fight for statehood is one of our core issues. We will continue to press for it, but we won’t deceive the people regarding Article 370. I have always said that expecting its return from those who scrapped it is foolish," he reiterated.
The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which stripped J&K of its special status and split it into two Union Territories (J&K and Ladakh), remains a sensitive issue. Abdullah acknowledged that reversing this decision under the current government was unlikely but expressed hope for future political changes that could facilitate meaningful discussions.
As J&K prepares for a new government, Abdullah is widely expected to assume the role of Chief Minister, from which he plans to continue advocating for the state's rights and development.
Comments