Rehaan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Oct 9: National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the party will not back off from its commitment to the restoration of Article 370, as outlined in its election manifesto.
Omar acknowledged the challenges of asking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to restore Article 370, saying such a request would be “foolish.” “However, the NC will persistently advocate for the issue. The public has entrusted the party with this responsibility, and we must live up to their expectations,” he said.
He said the NC should first focus on forming a government, after which they would push for a cabinet resolution advocating for the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood.
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings, Omar expressed his gratitude, thanking him in his role as NC vice president.
When asked about the opposition, the former chief minister said, “Let the government be formed first. We will ensure fair treatment for all regions, representing everyone, including those who did not vote for us. Even if only 20 percent of voters in Srinagar participated, the NC would work for all residents. Similarly, those in Jammu who voted for the BJP deserve to benefit from the government’s efforts.”
Abdullah reassured the public of the NC’s commitment to maintaining a peaceful and effective administration, saying it is important to advocate for the restoration of statehood.
Addressing concerns about low voter turnout for the NC in the Jammu region, he said, “We don’t believe in revenge; we will treat the people of both Jammu and Kashmir equally.”
He reiterated, “We want a peaceful atmosphere here, and our priority will remain the restoration of Article 370.”
Regarding leadership within the party, Omar said, “We haven’t yet decided who will be the Chief Minister or the leaders for forming the government.”
Meanwhile, Zamir Abdullah, son of Omar Abdullah, said the electoral win was not just a personal achievement for his father but a victory for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters here, Zamir said the election outcome represents the voices of those who have been silenced for years. “This is not just Umer Sahab’s victory; it’s a victory for the entire people of Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
Criticising the central government’s actions post-2019 for suppressing local voices, he said, “Today, the people have raised their voices, and for the first time, a fully elected government has been chosen.”
Zamir said the party will tackle the pressing issue of unemployment among the youth and advocate for the release of those detained under UAPA and PSA laws since 2019. “Many of our youth have been jailed under these laws. Our manifesto promises to discuss their release when our government is in power,” he said.
