Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged party legislators to exercise patience until statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
The advice came during a provincial meeting in Srinagar, where National Conference (NC) MLAs complained about officers' non-cooperation, which they said was hampering their efforts to address public grievances.
The meeting, held at the party headquarters Naw-e-Subah, was the first provincial gathering after the formation of the NC-led government on October 16.
The MLAs alleged that even minor public issues remain unresolved.
Acknowledging these concerns, Abdullah told his party colleagues to wait for statehood, possibly by March.
He urged them to maintain calm and avoid actions that could lead to confrontations with the Lieutenant Governor's administration, which might delay the process.
“This is a critical time, and we must work together to ensure the restoration of statehood without unnecessary disruptions,” he told the gathering.
He reiterated his dedication to the welfare of the people, vowing to work for the region’s overall development and restoration of its statehood.
NC leader and Pampore MLA Hasnain Masoodi stated that the meeting reviewed the party’s functioning and roadmap for fulfilling promises made to the people.
“Discussions also covered the developmental backlog caused by six years of bureaucratic rule,” he said.
He asserted that the restoration of statehood is a constitutional obligation, referencing a Supreme Court directive on the matter.
“There can be no trade-off between progress and the dignity of our people. Both must advance together,” he said.
He planned to address public grievances and tackle developmental challenges. The Chief Minister reiterated his dedication to the welfare of the people, vowing to work tirelessly for the region’s overall development and the restoration of its statehood.
