Says he hopes J&K’s statehood will be restored under PM Modi’s leadership
Katra, Jun 06:
In a strong political statement during the inauguration of Srinagar Katra rail link, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday made a renewed pitch for the restoration of statehood to the region.
Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the flagging-off ceremony of the new Vande Bharat Express train from Katra to Srinagar, Omar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the Union Territory status was a “demotion” that he hopes will soon be reversed — under Modi’s leadership.
“I was the Chief Minister of a state; now I’m the Chief Minister of a Union Territory. But I firmly believe that this will be corrected very soon — and it will be under your leadership, Prime Minister, that Jammu and Kashmir will once again regain the status of a state,” Omar said in a direct appeal during his address at the Katra Railway Station.
The Vande Bharat Express, which now links Katra to Srinagar, is a significant addition to the Union government’s infrastructure push in Jammu and Kashmir. But Omar Abdullah used the occasion to remind the Prime Minister and the country of the political aspirations of the region — particularly the demand for restoration of the statehood that was revoked following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Taking a personal tone, Omar reflected on his own political journey, drawing a contrast with that of the present Lieutenant Governor. “If you look at Mr. Manoj Sinha’s journey — due to the blessings of the deity — he got a promotion. As for me, I experienced a slight demotion,” he remarked, drawing both laughter and attention.
In a speech laced with emotion, nostalgia, and pointed political messaging, the Chief Minister recounted his long association with major railway events in the Union Territory. “Call it fate or destiny, but whenever there has been a major railway event, I have been fortunate enough to be associated with it — whether it was the inauguration of the Anantnag railway