National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah announced he will champion the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood at the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi on August 7, intensifying pressure on the Centre to fulfill its promise. Speaking in Anantnag, Abdullah responded to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s letter to 42 political party leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, urging them to back legislation in the ongoing Parliament session to restore J&K’s statehood, stripped in 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370.
“I’m heading to Delhi tomorrow for the opposition leaders’ meet called by a Congress leader. I’ll raise the statehood issue there, confident that allies who’ve supported us before will stand with us again,” Abdullah told reporters. The NC chief also highlighted an upcoming Supreme Court hearing on August 8, where a plea for statehood restoration will be reviewed, expressing cautious optimism: “Let’s see what happens there.” The case, challenging the downgrade of J&K to a Union Territory, is pivotal for restoring the region’s autonomy and legislative powers.
Abdullah didn’t mince words when addressing criticism from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by Mehbooba Mufti, blaming them for J&K’s “misfortune.” He accused the PDP of enabling the 2015-2018 alliance with the BJP, which he claims led to the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A. “We offered Mufti Mohammad Sayeed our support without demanding ministries, but they chose the BJP, bringing ruin. They’re fooling the people, and their fate is sealed,” he said, referencing the PDP’s electoral decline.
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The push for statehood follows a six-year struggle since J&K’s bifurcation into two Union Territories. Omar Abdullah’s letter, sent on August 5, aligns with Congress leaders Kharge and Rahul Gandhi’s earlier appeals to PM Narendra Modi for urgent legislation. The NC-Congress alliance, which won 49 seats in the 2024 J&K elections, has made statehood a core demand, with Omar meeting Modi thrice since October 2024 to press the issue. The Centre’s 2023 Supreme Court assurance to restore statehood post-elections remains unfulfilled, fueling frustration.
Abdullah’s Delhi visit coincides with discussions on Bihar’s upcoming elections, but J&K’s statehood is expected to dominate the INDIA bloc’s agenda. With unemployment soaring and governance hampered by the “dual power structure” under the Lieutenant Governor, Abdullah warned that without statehood, development stalls. “J&K is India’s crown. If it doesn’t shine, how will India?” he said in October 2024, a sentiment echoed by supporters at the Anantnag rally.
As the Supreme Court hearing looms, political analysts see this as a critical juncture for J&K’s future. A favorable ruling could restore the region’s statehood, empowering its elected government to address pressing issues like unemployment and infrastructure. For now, Abdullah’s resolve signals a fierce fight to reclaim J&K’s constitutional rights.
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