Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has approved the resolution passed by the cabinet led by CM Omar Abdullah, urging the central government to restore statehood to the Union Territory. An official spokesperson said that in the cabinet meeting chaired by Omar Abdullah, a unanimous resolution was passed to restore the original character of the state, after which the Lieutenant Governor approved the resolution passed by the cabinet.
The central government will take the final decision
The spokesperson said that restoration of statehood will be the beginning of a healing process, which includes reclaiming constitutional rights and protecting the identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the cabinet has authorized the Chief Minister to take up the matter before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for restoration of statehood. The central government will take the final decision.
Decision also taken to convene assembly session in Srinagar
The spokesperson said that protection of the unique identity of Jammu and Kashmir and the constitutional rights of the people remains the basis of the policy of the newly elected government. He said that the Chief Minister will visit New Delhi in the coming days to meet the Prime Minister and Union Ministers in this regard.
The spokesperson said that the Cabinet has also decided to convene the Assembly session in Srinagar on November 4 and advised the Lieutenant Governor to convene and address the Assembly session. He said that at the beginning of the first session, a draft of the address of the Lieutenant Governor to the Assembly was also placed before the Council of Ministers, on which the Council decided that it would be further considered and discussed.
Reminded of election promise
On the other hand, on Friday, political parties expressed their full dedication and the stand of the ruling National Conference on the proposal not on Article 370 but only on the status of the state. Various political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference (PC) and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), condemned the move and reminded the National Conference of its election promise to strive to restore (Article) 370-35A and statehood before August 5, 2019, saying it was a deviation from its pre-poll stand.
