Srinagar, July 16 :
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday extended his support to the Congress party’s latest push for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, urging the central government to fulfil the long-standing promise without further delay.
Reacting to the letter written by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Omar Abdullah, as per news agency JKNS, said, “This is a welcome step. I am grateful to Kharge ji and Rahul ji for taking up the statehood issue. We are simply asking for what was promised to us multiple times.”
He added, “The time has come for the Union government to deliver on its assurances whether made in Parliament, on public platforms, or before the Supreme Court. J&K deserves to have its democratic rights fully restored.”
Earlier, Congress leaders Kharge and Gandhi urged the Prime Minister in a joint letter to bring forward legislation in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament to grant full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. They also called for constitutional protections for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule to safeguard the rights and identity of its people. (JKNS)