Srinagar, Oct 5: BJP leader Ravinder Raina on Monday said the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir had been delayed due to security concerns and other factors, while reiterating that his party remained committed to fulfilling the promise.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Kupwara district in north Kashmir, Raina expressed hope that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time.
His remarks come amid renewed debate over the issue following the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s passage of a resolution seeking the restoration of full statehood.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved the resolution on September 25, and it was passed on September 28. The resolution also referred to earlier Assembly resolutions on autonomy and special status, drawing strong objections from the BJP.
The BJP staged a walkout during the discussion, with Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma saying the party supported the restoration of statehood but opposed references linking the demand to autonomy and Article 35A.
Abdullah, however, maintained that the central issue was the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status before its reorganisation and accused the BJP of using the autonomy reference to avoid backing the statehood resolution.
Meanwhile, Raina said Jammu and Kashmir had moved beyond the era of Hurriyat calendar politics, with people now focused on development, education and improving their lives.
“People are now focused on their own development. Students are attending universities, colleges and schools, and normal life is moving ahead,” he said.
Raina also criticised the ruling National Conference, alleging that the party had failed to fulfil several commitments made in its election manifesto. (KNO)
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