Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday refused to be drawn into a war of words with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha over his remarks on statehood. The National Conference leader said he would instead respond only after going through LG Sinha’s statement.
Earlier, speaking at an event at SKICC in Srinagar, the LG said that lack of statehood vis-à-vis JK cannot be used as an excuse for “underperformance” as the elected government has all the powers.
When asked by reporters about the LG’s statement, Abdullah said he had not read Sinha’s statement.
“First of all, I would like to see what words he used, because if there is a difference between what he said and what you say, then if I say something that is wrong, it will not be good,” said the chief minister.
However, he added that if LG said what the media workers said, then “it will respond to it at the right time.”
The statehood of Jammu and Kashmir was abolished in August 2019 when its special status under Article 370 ended. The former state was then reorganized into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Supreme Court upheld the repeal of Article 370 in December 2023, but ordered the government to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir “as soon as possible” and hold legislative assembly elections by September 2024. The elections were held and Omar became prime minister.
The Union Government has repeatedly stated that statehood will be restored at an “appropriate time”
Abdullah attended the inaugural ceremony of the Kashmir Marathon Expo. The Chief Minister said that in every major event, efforts are made to ensure that the athletes have the best possible experience.
First I would like to see the words he used, because if there is a difference between what he said and what you say, then if I say something that is wrong, it will not be good.
“When I participated in the Delhi Half Marathon, I saw that a similar event was being organized there and the marathon or half marathon participants liked it a lot. It’s good that an expo is being organized in addition to the run,” he said.
Abdullah said that the exhibition will showcase the handicrafts and tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir to the people of other states and expressed hope that it will help boost tourism in the region.
