Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Monday, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honour his commitment to restoring statehood.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Sonamarg tunnel, Abdullah commended the prime minister for fulfilling two of the three promises he made during his speech in Srinagar after assuming office for the third consecutive term last year. “The two promises, including addressing the ‘Delhi ki Doori’ (distance from Delhi) and holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, have been fulfilled by you” the CM said, and added that the third promise of restoring statehood remains unfulfilled.
#WATCH | Sonamarg: Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah says, "Elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir and the biggest thing was that there was no complaint of any irregularities anywhere, no complaint of misuse of power. The credit for this goes to you (PM Modi), your colleagues… pic.twitter.com/vRcSK11Ae5
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025
“People here, including media persons, often ask me about this. My heart believes that you will fulfil this promise soon,” he said.
Omar began his speech by paying tribute to the seven construction workers and a doctor who lost their lives during an attack at Gagangeer in October.
“They sacrificed their lives for this project and the progress of the nation,” he said. “Sadly, for the past 35 years, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have sacrificed so much for the development of this nation. I come from a party that has made significant sacrifices for the country.”
He said the prime minister’s presence at the event sends a strong message to those who oppose progress, peace and democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. “They will not succeed and will face defeat from here onwards,” he said.
#WATCH | Jammu & Kashmir: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg today.
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025
CM Omar Abdullah and LG Manoj Sinha, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari are also present.
(Source: DD/ANI)#KashmirOnTheRise pic.twitter.com/GF7rwZaVn1
Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its statehood and limited autonomy on August 5, 2019.
The BJP linked the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir with delimitation and holding of elections. Delimitation was completed in 2022 and elections were held in September and October last year.
The NC and the Congress won an impressive mandate securing 48 seats in the 90-member government and came to power. The BJP won a historic 29 seats and emerged as a strong opposition. However, after assuming office, Abdullah realised the constraints of working in a Union territory and has pleaded with the Centre for the restoration of statehood.
