J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah affirmed that his party will persist with the statehood restoration protest, emphasizing that the recent Delhi demonstration marked just the start of their campaign. Abdullah stated that the National Conference (NC) would uphold its stance without compromising its political agenda to please the BJP. He highlighted that despite the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passing a resolution for autonomy restoration, it was misrepresented to discredit their cause.
Abdullah accused the Centre of fostering new political factions to undermine Jammu and Kashmir’s voice, expressing disappointment with parties that distanced themselves from the NC’s efforts. He clarified that the NC has not deviated from its core principles, particularly regarding Article 370 and special status. Abdullah stressed that the primary focus remains on reinstating statehood and defining the constitutional relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and the Centre.
In response to criticism, Abdullah criticized rival parties for avoiding confrontation with the BJP and assured that the NC would unveil its future plans soon. He underscored that the struggle for statehood restoration would persist under Farooq Abdullah’s leadership, reiterating the commitment to hold the Centre accountable for its promises. Meanwhile, BJP leader Sunil Sharma criticized Abdullah for prioritizing political gains over addressing the challenges faced by the people during the current crisis.
