CM Omar criticizes rivals over special status debate, reiterates that statehood should come first
Srinagar, July 21: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said those questioning his government’s agenda on special status were either ill-informed or wilfully ignoring the ground reality that restoration of statehood is a prerequisite for any meaningful power-sharing with the Centre.
Addressing a press conference here, Omar blamed the opposition parties of “ridiculing” his party’s efforts while remaining confined to social media, instead of joining the Delhi protests for the region’s rights.
“Some people say — bring back 370, bring back special status. I ask them, what is the meaning of 370 without a state? What is the meaning of special status without a state?” Omar said. “Without a state list, all powers remain with the Union government. Where is the power-sharing then?”
The Chief Minister was responding to criticism over his party’s protest in Delhi, where NC leaders and workers marched to demand restoration of statehood — a promise he said the Centre had made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
CM Omar asserted that the NC had not forgotten its core agenda, pointing to the Assembly resolution passed during its first session seeking constitutional guarantees for the region’s special status. “That resolution is still alive,” he said. “But we can talk about it only when the central government first fulfils its promise of statehood.”
Taking a veiled swipe at rival political formations, CM Omar said his party had invited all like-minded groups to join the Delhi protest. “Not only did they not join, they made every effort to humiliate our efforts,” he said, adding that those who claim to be sympathisers of the people of J&K “forget their sympathy at such times.”
He dismissed criticism that the protest drew limited numbers, emphasising that all participants had come “on their own will” without any logistical support from the party. “We did not book plane tickets, train bogies or arrange cars for anyone,” he said.
Highlighting the participation of NC president and veteran leader Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar said, “At the age of 90, he took his stick in his hand and walked for us. I don’t think we can show you a more powerful image than this.”
CM Omar warned that the agitation would continue and that the party would soon decide its next course of action at the organisational level. “This is the beginning, not the end,” he said, expressing hope that the Centre would ultimately honour its commitment.
The NC had on Monday staged a protest in the national capital, demanding restoration of statehood, which was revoked in August 2019 when the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union territories. The party has warned of escalating the agitation if its demands are not met. (KNS)
