Srinagar: National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah has said while the National Conference won’t let go off the issue of Article 370, seeking its restoration from the BJP, the very party responsible for its removal, is nothing short of “foolish”.
“Our political stand will not change. We have never said that we will remain silent on Article 370 or that Article 370 is not an issue for us now. I have said this many times before the elections that hoping for the restoration of Article 370 from the people who snatched it will be foolish,” he said.
“But we will keep this issue alive. We will continue to talk on this and hope that tomorrow there will be a change of government in the country, there will be a new setup with whom we can discuss this and get something for J&K.”
In an interview with a national television channel, India Today, as per news agency KINS, Abdullah said, “We always said that Article 370 — we will keep the issue active, which we have done. We passed a resolution in the Assembly contrary to what most people believed. That resolution was sent to the Government of India. It was not thrown into the dustbin, not dismissed or rejected. But to ask the same government that took it away from us to restore it would be to fool people — and I’m not ready for that.”
Calling the resolution a “template for any future dialogue,” Abdullah made it clear that restoring Article 370 under the present Union government was not possible.
“This government is not forever — it will be replaced by another government. The resolution we passed forms the template for any future discussion,” he said.
Touching on the demand for full statehood, Abdullah said his government had consistently and openly raised the issue with the Centre and in public forums.
“We had hoped — not only hoped, I think it’s fair to say we had expected statehood would be restored by now. There hasn’t been an occasion when we haven’t talked about statehood.”
The Chief Minister said that in three public functions attended by the Prime Minister, as well as during his government’s first cabinet meeting, the demand for restoration of statehood was raised. “We have not gone soft or silent on this issue,” he emphasized.
On the outcome of the recent Rajya Sabha elections, where the National Conference (NC) secured three out of four seats, Abdullah said he was satisfied but not without disappointment.
“Winning the fourth seat was always going to be touch and go,” he admitted. “I am disappointed that some who promised support went back on it, but that’s between them and their conscience.”
“It would have been easier for us to win had Congress contested that seat. Ideologically, there are people who are against the NC, and it might have been easier for them to vote Congress,” he explained.
“I made it clear to the Congress general secretary — with six MLAs in the House, you can’t ask us for a safer seat. We are the sort of party that, when convinced by an argument, is ready to sacrifice.”
Drawing a parallel, Omar Abdullah recalled the 2015 Rajya Sabha elections, when NC gave way to Congress to allow Ghulam Nabi Azad to continue as Leader of the Opposition.
“That seat would have gone to the NC, my father should have gone to Rajya Sabha. But Congress appealed to us, saying they wanted to send Azad Sahib — and we agreed.”
Responding to criticism that his government has been “unassertive”, Abdullah said his administration’s record should be judged in full context.
“I would humbly beg to disagree. It’s been a tough year — we’ve had the Pahalgam attack, we’ve had floods. But that does not mean we haven’t taken action,” he said. “Our manifesto is for five years. Nobody fulfills it in one. When we complete our term, I’ll tell you what we’ve achieved.”
On alliance politics, he said, “We are part of the India Alliance. But there are times when we are our own worst enemies. The absence of regular consultation and friendly contests have sometimes hurt us.”
Abdullah also commented on the situation in Ladakh, saying the Union government’s handling has left people disappointed.
“The promises made to Ladakh were not fulfilled due to practical challenges, including defense-related land management,” he observed.
In a message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said “These are not easy times. We will deliver on our promises. Just keep the faith.”(KINS)
