Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government for its perceived failure to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, stating that no clear answer has been provided on the matter. He also targeted the BJP regarding the implementation of women’s reservation in legislative bodies.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Abdullah, speaking at a public rally in the Nowshera border area of Rajouri district, expressed frustration over the repeated assurance of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir “at the right time.” He questioned the value of the BJP’s promises, which he noted were made repeatedly in various public forums, including the Supreme Court, Parliament, and election rallies, only to be seemingly disregarded.
Abdullah urged the central government to provide a concrete roadmap for the restoration of statehood, drawing an analogy to educational benchmarks. “Explain to us what this ‘right time’ is, so that we can work towards it. Just like when we set exams for children — we tell them what marks are needed to pass, for first division, for distinction. They know what they must achieve. Similarly, tell us what conditions need to be met so we can reach that goal,” he stated.
The Chief Minister asserted that his administration was fulfilling its commitments to the people. He contrasted this with what he described as the BJP’s unfulfilled promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that the desire for statehood was a vote-determining factor for the populace, regardless of their political affiliation. He characterized the transition of Jammu and Kashmir from a state to a Union Territory as a form of punishment.
Abdullah specifically challenged the BJP’s electoral promises, recalling their pledge to restore statehood after the electoral process. He outlined the BJP’s previously stated three-step process: delimitation, elections, and then statehood. He noted that while delimitation and elections (including parliamentary and assembly polls in 2024) have occurred, statehood has not been restored despite the passage of a significant period. “Today, one and a half years have passed; we are asking: where is that promise?” he questioned.
Furthermore, Abdullah addressed the issue of women’s reservation. He questioned the compulsion behind the bill’s passage without a census, suggesting it was a move to push forward the delimitation process. Recalling the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir, he stated that the creation of seven seats, of which six were allegedly secured by the BJP, indicated an attempt to consolidate political control. He acknowledged that their plans were not entirely successful due to the electoral outcomes.
The Chief Minister affirmed that his party would persist in raising these critical issues and continue to confront and question the ruling party, acknowledging that this stance makes the BJP uncomfortable.
The Chenab Times News Desk