Omar Abdullah reaches out to top BJP leadership with J&K Cabinet resolution on Statehood

Camping in New Delhi for two days, Abdullah meets Modi, Shah and Rajnath; during his meeting with PM, he had presented the Cabinet resolution advocating for the reinstatement of J&K’s Statehood

Buoyed by a strong mandate in the recent Assembly election, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday (October 24, 2024) reached out to the top BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while making a strong push for the restoration of Statehood to the Union Territory.

Camping in New Delhi for two days, Mr. Abdullah, whose Cabinet passed a resolution in its first meeting on restoration of Statehood recently, met Mr. Modi in New Delhi. “Visited honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji to present a Cabinet resolution advocating for the reinstatement of J&K’s empowered Statehood. The resolution underscores the J&K government’s dedication to safeguarding the identity and constitutional rights of the region’s residents,” Mr. Abdullah said.

The Cabinet resolution passed in J&K called “for restoration of Statehood in its original form”, without mentioning Article 370. Having the support of 55 members out of 90, the NC is likely to bring a resolution on Article 370 in the upcoming Assembly session starting from November 4.

Mr. Abdullah’s first visit to New Delhi since he took over as the new Chief Minister was not limited to Mr. Modi. He also called upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

During his meeting with Mr. Shah on Wednesday, Mr. Abdullah said he “emphasised the urgent need for the reinstatement of Statehood”. “Additionally, I brought to light the various challenges faced by the people of J&K. It was a productive half-hour discussion that shed light on the current situation and the path forward,” Mr. Abdullah said.

Mr. Abdullah said he “delved into the variety of important issues” concerning J&K with Mr. Singh on Thursday. “It was a productive and enlightening exchange of ideas and perspectives,” Mr. Abdullah said, after meeting the Union Defence Minister.

In a post on X, Mr. Singh said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under Mr. Modi “is looking forward to working with him [Mr. Abdullah] for J&K’s progress”.

This was the second meeting between the NC leadership and the PM since the Centre abrogated the special status of J&K, granted under Article 370, in 2019. In June 2021, Mr. Modi had called for an all-party meeting in New Delhi, which was also attended by NC president Farooq Abdullah.

Mr. Abdullah, in an interview to The Hindu after his party swept the Assembly election, had hinted at working towards developing “a functional and healthy relationship” with the Centre. Official sources said Mr. Abdullah was offered “support of the Centre on the issues of governance” by the BJP’s top leadership. Mr. Abdullah’s pitch for Statehood comes in the wake of curtailed powers of the CM post in J&K as per the J&K Reorganisation Act, which gives sweeping powers to Lieutenant-Governor.

However, J&K Peoples Conference (PC) chief Sajad Lone criticised Mr. Abdullah. “Seems a gentleman is desperate and bending his back backwards to meet Lords in Delhi. This gentleman fought an entire election accusing almost everybody of being in league with these Lords. Statehood is just an excuse. To meet and greet the Lords,” Mr. Lone said, in a post on X.

Defending Mr. Abdullah’s move to reach out to Delhi, Nasir Aslam Wani, the Chief Minister’s adviser said, “Meetings between Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and national leaders are routine and should not be over-interpreted. The alliance between Congress and the National Conference at both State and national levels are strong and will continue. We should have patience and the constitutional rights eroded from Jammu and Kashmir would be gradually restored,” Mr. Wani said.

Published - October 24, 2024 05:05 pm IST