In a surprising shift, Omar Abdullah, the National Conference (NC) leader, recently praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledging his role in shaping Jammu and Kashmir’s future. During a discussion on J&K’s political landscape, Omar stated, “PM Narendra Modi is an honourable man,” highlighting his hopes for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was stripped after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Abdullah clarified that while Article 370 remains an important issue for the NC, seeking its restoration from the current government would be “foolish.” He explained that expecting the same administration, which abrogated the article, to reverse its decision was unrealistic. He reiterated, “We are not foolish to think we will get Article 370 back” under the current setup but emphasised his party’s commitment to keep the issue alive for future discussions with a different government.
Additionally, Omar expressed a desire to foster a strong relationship with the central government. He noted, “We already have hostile neighbors on both sides. We want strong relations with the Central Government,” stressing that this approach would benefit Jammu and Kashmir. He further added, “That will be good for my state. We want to work with the Centre,” signalling his intention to collaborate with the Modi-led government for the region’s prosperity.
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Abdullah’s comments reflect a strategic approach to navigating the political realities in Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on statehood restoration while maintaining a practical stance on Article 370.
