Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah Slams Congress, Says Their U-turn On Article 370 Makes No Difference

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday attacked its INDIA Bloc partner over their U-turn on the resolution passed by the J&K Assembly. This resolution seeks dialogue for restoring special status and constitutional guarantees to the Union Territory. Abdullah emphasised that Congress' refusal to support this resolution would not alter its importance.

In Srinagar, Abdullah highlighted that the resolution concerning Article 370 was approved rather than dismissed. He noted that Congress had softened its position after facing continuous criticism from the BJP. However, he assured that this change in Congress' stance would not diminish the resolution's value.

Resolution's Passage and Political Dynamics

Abdullah explained that since his government took office, they have been committed to regaining statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. He mentioned that certain public demands cannot be met under the current Union Territory status. The passage of this resolution signifies an opportunity for change, despite Congress not being part of their government but offering external support.

The Chief Minister stated, "From the first day, we have been striving to regain statehood for J&K. There are certain demands from the people that we cannot fulfill under the current Union Territory status. The critical point is that the resolution was not rejected but passed. A door has been opened. Congress is not part of our government; they support us from the outside."

Political Pressure and Support

Abdullah further elaborated on how most MLAs, including those from Congress, supported the resolution except for BJP members. He remarked that BJP's pressure led Congress to retract its backing. Despite this political manoeuvring, he maintained confidence in the resolution's impact.

"Our government brought this resolution forward, and apart from the BJP, most MLAs, including those from Congress, supported it. The BJP then targeted Congress, pressuring them to backtrack, but this will not impact the resolution," he added.

The Chief Minister's comments reflect ongoing efforts to address regional concerns within Jammu and Kashmir through legislative means. By passing this resolution, Abdullah aims to initiate discussions on restoring special status while navigating complex political dynamics involving major parties like Congress and BJP.