Restore statehood to J&K as promised: Dy CM to Centre

Jammu, Jan 1: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdary on Thursday once again reminded New Delhi of its commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and urged the Centre to fulfil the promise without further delay.
Talking to reporters in Jammu, Chowdary said the people of Jammu and Kashmir were repeatedly assured that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time, but the promise remains unfulfilled. He stressed that restoring statehood is not a favour but a democratic right of the people.
Launching a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Deputy Chief Minister said the BJP ruled Jammu and Kashmir for 11 years and failed miserably on multiple fronts. He said that despite its long rule, the party could not address core issues faced by the people and left behind governance challenges.
Chowdary questioned the BJP’s demand for accountability from the present elected government, stating that the current dispensation is only one year old. He said it is unjustified for the BJP to seek accountability when it had more than a decade in power and must first answer for its own record.
He added that the elected government is committed to democratic governance, development and safeguarding the rights of the people, and will continue to raise the issue of statehood at every appropriate forum.
The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated that restoring statehood would strengthen democratic institutions, improve governance and help address regional aspirations across Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]