Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a significant meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, focusing on governance, the overall situation in the Union Territory (UT), and the restoration of its statehood.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Abdullah expressed optimism about progress on the critical issue of statehood restoration.
“Discussions on Kashmir’s situation, including the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, have been ongoing. It is hoped these efforts will benefit the people and lead to the restoration of statehood,” Abdullah remarked.
This marked Abdullah’s second meeting with Shah since assuming office as Chief Minister following the National Conference’s landslide victory in the October elections.
Abdullah has been a consistent advocate for reversing the August 2019 reorganization, which downgraded Jammu and Kashmir from a state to a Union Territory.
During the meeting, Abdullah reportedly raised governance matters and other pressing concerns. However, when asked about the Transaction of Business Rules (TBR), he clarified that the matter solely pertains to Jammu and Kashmir’s elected government.
“The TBR will be decided by the elected government of Jammu and Kashmir, approved by the Cabinet, and then sent to the Lieutenant Governor. It is not related to the Government of India,” he explained.
Earlier, while addressing the 18th Annual Tourism Summit 2024 organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Wednesday, Abdullah reiterated his commitment to pursuing statehood.
He acknowledged the unique role of the Union Home Minister in J&K’s governance as a Union Territory but emphasized that the priority is the restoration of statehood. “Currently, J&K is a UT, but we are expecting statehood. There are many issues I need to discuss with the Home Minister,” he stated.
Abdullah’s earlier meeting with Amit Shah on October 23, soon after taking office, was initially seen as a courtesy call. However, Abdullah had used the opportunity to brief Shah on the region’s prevailing situation and advocate for the restoration of statehood.
The National Conference leader remains vocal about his stance, emphasizing that the region has already undergone delimitation and elections, which should logically lead to statehood restoration.
“We have had delimitation, elections, and now statehood must follow,” Abdullah asserted after his party’s resounding electoral win.
The meeting reflects Abdullah’s continued efforts to press for the fulfillment of long-standing demands for the political and administrative restoration of Jammu and Kashmir.
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