A week after the National Conference announced that its legislators would hold a protest at Jantar Mantar to press for the return of statehood, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
While congratulating Modi on completing 12 years as Prime Minister, Abdullah stressed the need for the “early return of statehood” to Jammu and Kashmir. Omar also discussed several key issues with the Prime Minister, including J&K’s economy, development and public welfare, and urged him to support efforts to “accelerate” economic growth and connectivity.
“During the meeting, the chief minister conveyed the aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir for the early restoration of statehood, underlining that it would mark an important step in strengthening democratic institutions, deepening public participation and advancing the next phase of the region’s development,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a release. “He (Omar Abdullah) requested that the process be taken forward at the earliest.”
The meeting between the Prime Minister and Omar came a day after Omar’s meeting with Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and is significant in the backdrop of the National Conference’s decision to hold a sit-in at Jantar Mantar to press for the return of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
On June 3, after a party meeting, the National Conference had announced that all its legislators would travel to on the first day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session to stage a protest for the early return of statehood.
In his meeting with the Prime Minister, Omar stressed that the return of statehood is essential for the inclusive growth of Jammu and Kashmir. “Jammu & Kashmir is committed to being a full and productive partner in India’s growth story,” the Chief Minister told the Prime Minister. “The early restoration of statehood, coupled with continued support from the Government of India, would further strengthen J&K’s march towards inclusive growth, prosperity and good governance.”
Omar also discussed J&K’s economic situation with the Prime Minister and sought his support. The chief minister apprised Modi of J&K’s economic situation, developmental projects, and the progress achieved in infrastructure creation, public service delivery and welfare measures.
Omar said the Union Territory needed “continued support” from the Centre to “accelerate economic growth, strengthen connectivity, generate employment opportunities, expand infrastructure and enhance public welfare across Jammu and Kashmir”.
Omar also raised the hydropower potential of Jammu and Kashmir and the need to harness it, besides the augmentation of the ahead of the apple season and the closure of Srinagar International Airport from October 1 to 16.
