Omar Abdullah Confident of J&K Statehood Restoration, Vows to Deliver on Promises

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed optimism on Thursday about the restoration of statehood to the region, a cornerstone of the National Conference’s (NC) 2024 election manifesto. The state lost its special status and statehood in 2019 when it was divided into two Union Territories (UTs).

“We have been in power for over two months now, and while adjusting to the governance model of a Union Territory took some time, it was smoother than expected. We remain committed to the promises we made before the elections, including the restoration of J&K's status,” Mr. Abdullah stated.

He emphasized that the Union Territory status is temporary. “The people of J&K turned out in large numbers for the assembly elections, showcasing their faith in democracy. The union government assured that statehood would be restored at the earliest, and we trust this will be expedited,” he added.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that the Supreme Court had directed the restoration of statehood over a year ago, reinforcing the urgency of fulfilling this mandate.

The 2024 assembly elections were a historic moment for the region, being the first since the abrogation of Article 370. The National Conference secured 42 out of 90 assembly seats, giving the party a clear mandate to lead.​