Pahalgam has not stalled J&K statehood talks: CM Omar Abdullah
The recent attack on a tourist bus in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has sent shockwaves across the region, leaving many wondering if it would stall the ongoing conversations around the state’s statehood restoration. However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made it clear that the attack has not halted the talks, and that he has actively raised the issue at the recent NITI Aayog meeting.
In an interview, Omar Abdullah stressed that while the Pahalgam attack has undoubtedly added to the complexities of the situation, it has not put a pause on the statehood talks. “Just because we didn’t use the special session of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly to discuss statehood doesn’t mean the conversation has stopped,” he said.
The Chief Minister’s comments come at a time when the J&K government is under increasing pressure to address the state’s political status. The state has been without a governor since July 2018, and the situation has led to widespread speculation about the future of the state’s government.
The Pahalgam attack, which left several tourists injured, has added a new layer of complexity to the situation. Many have questioned whether the attack would prompt the central government to reconsider its stance on J&K’s statehood restoration.
However, Omar Abdullah has made it clear that the attack has not changed his stance on the issue. “We raised the issue of statehood at the NITI Aayog meeting, and I think it’s important to keep the conversation going,” he said.
The Chief Minister’s comments have been seen as a significant development in the ongoing statehood talks. For months, there have been reports of divisions within the J&K government on the issue of statehood restoration, with some leaders pushing for a return to full statehood, while others have advocated for a more incremental approach.
Omar Abdullah’s decision to raise the issue at the NITI Aayog meeting is seen as a significant step forward in the statehood talks. The meeting, which was attended by top officials from the central government, is seen as an important platform for discussing the state’s political status.
The Chief Minister’s comments have also been seen as a response to criticism from some quarters that the J&K government has been slow to address the issue of statehood restoration. “We understand the importance of statehood, and we are committed to taking it forward,” Omar Abdullah said.
However, the Chief Minister’s comments have also been seen as a sign of the complexities of the situation. The Pahalgam attack has added to the already fraught situation in J&K, and it remains to be seen how the central government will respond to the situation.
The Chief Minister’s comments have also been seen as a sign of the need for a sustained effort to address the issue of statehood restoration. The state’s political status has been in limbo for months, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.
In conclusion, Omar Abdullah’s comments make it clear that the Pahalgam attack has not stalled the statehood talks in J&K. The Chief Minister has actively raised the issue at the NITI Aayog meeting, and has emphasized the importance of keeping the conversation going.
The situation in J&K remains complex and fraught, and it remains to be seen how the central government will respond to the Pahalgam attack. However, Omar Abdullah’s comments make it clear that the J&K government remains committed to addressing the issue of statehood restoration.
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