3 weeks ago
Omar Abdullah laments lost political capital over J-K statehood delay
In India, there is a region called Jammu and Kashmir.
A leader named Omar Abdullah is in charge of its local government.
India's central government promised that this region would become a full state again, meaning its government could make more of its own decisions.
But that promise has not been kept yet.
Mr. Abdullah says many people are disappointed and are blaming him, even though he says the delay is not his fault.
He feels like a runner in a long race whose finish line keeps being moved further away.
Some government officials say the region must wait for statehood until all violence there stops.
Mr. Abdullah says that is unfair because he does not control the security forces.
He wants the central government to say exactly when it will keep its promise.
Until then, he says, he will keep asking for statehood.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he has lost 'huge political capital' over the Centre's delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
In an interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, Abdullah said he will 'pay the price for sins that are not mine.'
He likened the promise of statehood at an 'appropriate time' to a marathon whose finishing line keeps moving and urged the Centre to define clear parameters.
Abdullah rejected the argument that statehood must wait until terrorism is eradicated, noting his government has no control over the anti-terror mechanism.
He called a Union territory with an Assembly an 'abomination' and said statehood must come before Article 370 can be restored.
- Who
- Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, in an interview with journalist Karan Thapar for The Wire; the promise was personally backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- Abdullah voiced deep frustration over the Centre's delay in restoring statehood, saying it cost him 'huge political capital' and eroded his credibility
- Where
- New Delhi; the dispute concerns Jammu and Kashmir
- When
- Saturday, August 8 (PTI report)
- Why
- Public disappointment over the undefined timeline for statehood has fallen on Abdullah, and he wants the Centre to stand by its 'Modi Ka Wada' commitment
Omar Abdullah's position
Central government's position
Timeline for statehood
Omar Abdullah's position
Abdullah demands defined parameters and says the 'appropriate time' pledge is a moving target that erodes trust.
Central government's position
The Centre has promised statehood at an 'appropriate time' but has given no specific deadline.
Condition of ending terrorism
Omar Abdullah's position
Tying statehood to the complete eradication of terrorism punishes an elected government with no role in the anti-terror mechanism; it effectively transfers the decision to Islamabad.
Central government's position
Certain power corridors argue statehood cannot be restored until terrorism is completely eradicated.
Union territory with Assembly
Omar Abdullah's position
A Union territory with an Assembly is an 'abomination'; the Cabinet cannot even choose administrative secretaries or appoint an advocate general.
Central government's position
The UT framework keeps key institutions such as the JK Power Development Corporation and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences under the lieutenant governor's authority.
Key facts
- Chief Minister
- Omar Abdullah of Jammu and Kashmir
- Region
- Jammu and Kashmir, Union territory of India
- Context
- Delay in promised restoration of statehood
- Interview
- With journalist Karan Thapar for The Wire
- PM's pledge
- PM Narendra Modi called statehood restoration a 'Modi Ka Wada'
- Abdullah on Article 370
- Statehood must come before Article 370 can be restored
- Governance framework
- Union territory with Assembly; key institutions under lieutenant governor's authority
- Report date
- August 8, PTI, New Delhi
Quotes
Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
“There is no worse form of government than a Union territory with an Assembly. Please, by all means, have Union territories, but don't give them assemblies.”
telegraphindia.com
“It's like running a marathon. Instead of completing it in 42 km, every time you reach near the finishing line, they keep shifting it.”
telegraphindia.com










