ANI
Passed unanimously during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday, it seeks to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir to its original form.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has approved a resolution passed by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led cabinet urging the central government to restore statehood to the union territory. Officials have given this information. Passed unanimously during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday, it seeks to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir to its original form.
Without giving further details, officials confirmed that the LG has given his approval to the proposal. The spokesperson stressed, “Restoring statehood would be the beginning of a healing process, reclaiming constitutional rights and protecting the identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” The Cabinet has authorized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for restoration of statehood.
The spokesperson said that protection of the unique identity of Jammu and Kashmir and the constitutional rights of the people is the basis of the policy of the newly elected government. He said that the Chief Minister will visit New Delhi in the coming days to meet the Prime Minister and Union Ministers in this regard. The spokesperson said that the Cabinet has also decided to convene a special session of the Assembly in Srinagar on November 4 and requested the Lieutenant Governor to convene and address the session. He said that the draft of the Lieutenant Governor’s address to the Assembly for the first session was also placed before the Council of Ministers, after which the Council of Ministers decided that it would be considered.
Political parties had said on Friday that the proposal only mentions statehood while there is no mention of Article 370. He described this proposal as complete surrender and contrary to the stance of the ruling National Conference. Various political parties including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Conference (PC) and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) condemned the move and reminded the National Conference of its promise to restore Article 370.
