Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Tuesday asserted that securing full statehood for J&K is a non-negotiable demand of his party. He said the issue was a focal point in their recent election campaign.
Speaking to the media persons during an outreach programme in the outskirts of Srinagar, Karra expressed disappointment that elections were not conducted in a fully restored state. “Our aim in the election was clear – to achieve statehood for Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
According to the news agency KNO, Karra said that while his party is part of an alliance, the JKPCC will abstain from participating in any Union Territory (UT) government arrangements until a definitive decision on statehood is reached. He clarified that discussions around statehood have emerged, but his party is demanding “complete statehood” rather than what he termed “incomplete statehood”.
Expressing concerns about the certain vital administrative departments remaining under the central government’s control, the J&K Congress chief called this situation unacceptable. “We refuse incomplete statehood,” he said, adding that selective control by the Central government over key departments is not viable.
“We want complete statehood. Incomplete statehood is unacceptable. We are hearing that the central government aims to take control of some vital departments. I don’t want to reveal much on that as of now, but these departments are crucial,” he added.
Karra reaffirmed the JKPCC’s commitment to advocating for full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir and indicated that future decisions will be influenced by developments in ongoing discussions regarding statehood. (With inputs from KNO)
