Restore statehood, abolish UT-with-Assembly model: Omar

Counters opposition over Kashmir remarks, warns against divisive politics

06/02/2026

JAMMU, Feb 5: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday strongly criticised the BJP for linking the restoration of statehood to the end of violence in the Union Territory, saying people had participated in elections in good faith over repeated assurances that statehood would be returned.
Replying to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Lieutenant Governor's address in the Assembly, Abdullah took exception to remarks by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, who had said statehood would be restored only when violence ends.
"You should give it back; that was in your manifesto. People were kept waiting for this very thing. Now what is the fault of the people here?" Abdullah said in the House.
He recalled that voters were urged to participate in Parliamentary and Assembly elections with the promise that restoration of statehood was part of a three-step process involving delimitation, elections and statehood.
"For the Parliamentary elections, you told people statehood would be restored. People came out, voted in large numbers. Then again, during Assembly elections, you repeated the same assurance. Now, when it comes to statehood, what suddenly is the excuse?" he asked.
The chief minister questioned the logic of making peace a pre-condition for statehood, pointing out that militancy-related incidents and blasts had continued even after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
"If you say that only when guns fall silent will we get statehood, then tell us what exactly has been happening. Last year bullets were fired, bombs exploded and innocent tourists were killed. Whose fault is that?" Abdullah said.
Abdullah also condemned alleged remarks by BJP legislator Sham Lal Sharma regarding Kashmir and its people, saying such statements were divisive and unfortunate.
He highlighted sacrifices made by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including police personnel who have laid down their lives for the country since 1947.
"There was a Kashmiri who lost his life while saving tourists. How many J&K Police jawans and officers should I name who sacrificed their lives for this country?" he asked.
Reiterating his government's position on special status, Abdullah said the National Conference government remains committed to restoring Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional guarantees.
"The day you remove Article 370 from the Constitution, the very next day we will pass a resolution in this House for the restoration of Article 370," he said.
He asserted that Article 370 continues to exist on the statute books despite being hollowed out.
On governance challenges, Abdullah appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to abolish the "UT-with-Assembly" system, calling it extremely difficult to function under such a model.
"If you want to keep a UT, then do not keep an Assembly; and if an area is fit to have an Assembly, then make it a state," he said.
He cited administrative disruptions, including the transfer of the Finance Secretary days before budget preparation, and expressed hope that long-pending Transaction of Business Rules would be approved soon to end "governance confusion".
The chief minister also said his government was implementing its manifesto commitments in a phased manner, including the promise of free electricity through schemes like PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
He raised concerns over harassment of journalists, stressing that democracy cannot survive if the press is intimidated, and said he would continue to highlight issues affecting people of Jammu and Kashmir, including concerns about farmers and apple growers.
Concluding, Abdullah said integration cannot be achieved through force alone.
"Integration will only be done by winning hearts," he asserted.

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