Srinagar, Sep 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that the decision on restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir has to be taken by the Government of India and not by any other country, while seeking clarity on the Supreme Court’s observation of restoring statehood “as soon as possible.”
Speaking during the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, as per GNS, Omar questioned, “Will another country decide the fate of statehood? Absolutely not.”
He said the Centre must make it clear what is meant by “as soon as possible,” asserting that the phrase cannot be treated as an indefinite timeline.
The Chief Minister pointed out that in its December 2023 verdict on Article 370, the Supreme Court had directed conduct of Assembly elections by September 30, 2024 and restoration of statehood “at the earliest and as soon as possible.”
Omar said that as per settled jurisprudence, “as soon as possible” means within a reasonable and shortest possible time, not an open-ended delay.
He reiterated that restoration of statehood is an internal matter and the commitment made by the Centre should be fulfilled without further delay.
He further said that, let my fellow BJP leaders show me where in resolution we have asked them to vote for 35A and 370. We have only asked for vote for statehood. Unfortunately some of my own party leaders have come under their (BJP) trap in this regard. (GNS)
