Anantnag: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that he will not align with the BJP even if such an alliance means restoration of statehood.
Rejecting the idea of forming any political arrangement with the BJP to regain statehood, he said, “If BJP’s inclusion in the government was seen as a step toward restoring statehood, I would rather step down. I will not be part of any such compromise,” he said.
He said has he had been interested in such an arrangement, after the last assembly elections, he had the option to align with the BJP but chose not to. Referring to the alliance formed by PDP in 2015 and 2016, he said that even if statehood could have been achieved faster through such a path, he preferred to keep the BJP out of power in the region.
Asserting that there would be no compromise on the demand for the restoration of statehood, CM asserted that the political approach to achieve it would remain democratic and peaceful.
Speaking at a public meeting in Anantnag, Abdullah said he was ready to protest if needed, but would not support actions that lead to violence or unrest in the Valley. He said Kashmir had already experienced enough pain and that repeating such a cycle was not acceptable.
Citing the Leh situation as an example, CM said that his government would continue its efforts for statehood, but through democratic and peaceful means as, he cannot allow the region to return to a situation where people suffer again.
Asserting that what had happened on August 05, 2019 ‘was wrong’, Abdullah said that people of Ladakh supported that decision and are now repenting. “We knew from day one that the decision was wrong and we stand vindicated as situation unfolds in Leh,” he said.
Commenting on the situation in Ladakh, he noted that those who initially supported the removal of Article 370 are now raising concerns. “We had said from day one that what happened on August 5, 2019, was not right,” he added.
While emphasising that efficient governance and robust development are the priorities of his government, the CM said that the demand for restoration of statehood is about identity and will not be abandoned.
