J&K CM to Launch Signature Campaign for Statehood; Oppn Reacts
In a bold move, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that he will be launching a door-to-door signature campaign to demand the state’s right to statehood. The announcement was made during his Independence Day speech, where he reiterated the government’s commitment to fighting for the state’s rights.
The signature campaign, which is set to begin in the coming days, aims to gather public support for the state’s demand for statehood. The campaign will see government officials and party workers visiting every village in the state to collect signatures from the people in support of their demand.
CM Omar Abdullah, during his speech, emphasized the importance of the campaign, saying, “Till now, through letters…and meetings, we’ve raised our voice. Now we’re going to raise our voice from every village of J&K to Delhi.” This move is seen as a significant step in the state’s fight for statehood, which has been a long-standing demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the opposition parties in the state have criticized the move, terming it as a publicity stunt. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party in the state, has said that the signature campaign has no legal or constitutional sanctity.
“We don’t think that a signature campaign is the right way to address the issues of the state,” said a senior BJP leader. “The Chief Minister should focus on addressing the real issues of the state, such as corruption, unemployment, and law and order, instead of indulging in such theatrics.”
The National Conference (NC), the ruling party in the state, has also faced criticism for its decision to launch the signature campaign. The party’s critics have said that the campaign is a diversionary tactic to distract from the party’s failures in addressing the state’s issues.
“This signature campaign is a desperate attempt by the Chief Minister to divert attention from the real issues of the state,” said a senior NC leader. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are not fooled by such gimmicks and will not be swayed by empty promises.”
The signature campaign is seen as a major move by the state government to put pressure on the Centre to grant statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The state has been demanding statehood since the formation of the state in 1952.
The Centre, however, has been reluctant to grant statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, citing the state’s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution. The article grants the state special powers and autonomy, which the Centre has been trying to dilute in recent years.
The opposition parties in the state have also criticized the government for not consulting them before announcing the signature campaign. The BJP, in particular, has been critical of the government’s decision, saying that it is a unilateral move that has been taken without consulting the opposition parties.
“We had requested the government to consult us before taking any major decisions, but they have ignored our demands,” said a senior BJP leader. “This is a clear indication of the government’s authoritarian nature and its disregard for the opposition parties.”
The signature campaign is likely to be a major test for the state government, which has been facing criticism for its handling of the state’s issues. The government has been accused of being ineffective in addressing the state’s problems, including corruption, unemployment, and law and order.
The campaign will also be seen as a test of the government’s ability to connect with the people of the state and gather public support for its demands. The government has been accused of being out of touch with the people of the state, and the campaign will be seen as a way to reverse this perception.
In conclusion, the launch of a signature campaign by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to demand statehood for the state is a bold move that is likely to have significant implications for the state’s politics. While the opposition parties have criticized the move, saying that it has no legal or constitutional sanctity, the government is determined to push forward with the campaign.
As the campaign gains momentum, it will be interesting to see how the people of Jammu and Kashmir respond to the government’s demands. Will they support the government’s move, or will they remain skeptical of the government’s intentions? Only time will tell.
