National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, campaigning in Kupwara district, emphasized on Sunday that the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir isn’t a focal point for his party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Abdullah’s comments came alongside his assertion that the commitment from the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister assures the eventual reinstatement of statehood.
Abdullah, who is contesting from Baramulla in the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for May 20, highlighted the consequential impact the Lok Sabha poll results will have on the forthcoming assembly elections in the Union territory.
“Statehood is not an issue for us. Our battle is not for statehood, we will get the statehood anyway. Why should we waste people’s time on an issue that the PM and the home minister are committed to?” Abdullah addressed reporters.
Speaking on the likelihood of the current government’s return to power, Abdullah stated, “If this government somehow comes back to power, which seems increasingly impossible now, they are committed to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. If the government changes, which we are hoping for, our effort will be that we get full statehood before the assembly elections take place.” Abdullah referenced Home Minister Amit Shah’s previous assurance in the Rajya Sabha last December regarding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate juncture.
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on the transformation of Jammu and Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370, Abdullah raised questions on the BJP’s absence in fielding candidates in Kashmir. He queried, “If there has been so much (positive) change in J-K, why have they not fielded a party candidate in Kashmir? What is the need for contesting the elections through proxy candidates?”
Anticipating the upcoming assembly elections, Abdullah suggested, “There will be an impact on assembly elections because there are not even two months left. This election will finish in June and we are hopeful that in August-September there will be assembly elections.”
Abdullah also highlighted that the current election campaign of the National Conference is more focused on political issues with the Centre rather than development, indicating a shift towards developmental agendas closer to the assembly elections.
On the detention of Abdul Rashid Sheikh, also known as Engineer Rashid, Abdullah questioned the rationale behind keeping him incarcerated without framed charges, hinting at potential changes in government policies with upcoming elections.
Amid speculation regarding the alleged support of the PDP for Rashid’s candidature in Baramulla, Abdullah noted that the rival party has refuted such claims.