National Conference Drafts Resolution for Jammu and Kashmir Statehood Post-Elections

In its inaugural cabinet meeting on Thursday, the government led by Omar Abdullah passed a resolution urging the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

The resolution, drafted by the National Conference—which secured 42 seats in the recent assembly elections—will be presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his upcoming trip to New Delhi.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para reacted to the cabinet’s decision, stating on X that Abdullah’s first resolution on statehood represents a step back from the August 5, 2019, decision. He criticized the focus on statehood instead of addressing Article 370, which was a key issue during their electoral campaign.

On the same day, a plea for the time-bound restoration of statehood was mentioned in the Supreme Court, which agreed to an urgent hearing. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the applicants, requested this hearing before a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.

Previously, on December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court had upheld the revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The court also mandated that assembly elections should occur by September 2024 and emphasized the need to restore the region’s status as soon as possible.

Following the Election Commission’s announcement regarding the assembly elections, Omar Abdullah stated that his government would prioritize passing a resolution against the Centre’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and special status.

The elections for the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly were conducted in three phases from September 18 to October 1, culminating in the formation of a government by the National Conference-Congress alliance. Before taking the oath, Omar Abdullah expressed his commitment to being the voice of the people and remained hopeful that Jammu and Kashmir would soon regain full statehood, moving beyond its current Union territory status.