Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed optimism on Tuesday regarding the swift restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, stating that ‘the appropriate time has come.’ He conveyed this to reporters following the inauguration of a bridge in the Pulwama district.
‘We believe the timing is right. Six months have passed since the assembly elections. I had a positive separate meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. I remain hopeful that Jammu and Kashmir will regain its statehood soon,’ Abdullah stated.
Addressing opposition claims that the ruling party obstructed debate on the Waqf Amendment Act, he clarified that an adjournment motion was inadmissible since the bill was enacted by Parliament. ‘The Speaker clarified this on the final day. The opposition’s error was in proposing an adjournment motion, which is only for discussing Jammu and Kashmir government actions, as the government is required to respond.’
‘Given that the Waqf Bill was a central government initiative, passed in Parliament, how could we have responded to an adjournment motion?,’ he questioned. Abdullah suggested that a resolution under different assembly rules might have been considered. ‘However, that is now past. Several parties, including the National Conference, have petitioned the Supreme Court, and we await their decision,’ he added.
Regarding the bridge inauguration, Abdullah lamented the 11-year delay in reconstructing the bridge connecting Chrar-e-Sharief to South Kashmir, which was destroyed in the 2014 floods. ‘It’s regrettable that reconstruction took so long. Perhaps it was destined that we would inaugurate it. This bridge is crucial for connecting South Kashmir with Chrar-e-Sharief,’ he concluded.
