CM mulls joining SC plea for statehood restoration, rules out alliance with BJP

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said he is exploring the possibility of joining the Supreme Court case seeking restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that allying with the Bharatiya Janata Party is out of the question.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, he said, “I had conversations with very senior lawyers both in J&K as well as in Delhi about the possibility of becoming a party to this case in the Supreme Court. As CM of J&K, because I don’t think anybody else understands the disadvantages we face as a union territory better than I do… this is something actively being discussed and based on their opinion there is a possibility that, as Chief Minister, I will make myself a party to this case.”

Omar also criticised linking statehood restoration to the Pahalgam attack, calling it “completely unjust to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” He said that the restoration process involves three steps: process, delimitation, and elections, with statehood following thereafter.

On alliance politics, he said, “Coalition with the BJP is out of the question. We’ve already seen how much that destroyed J&K. An unnecessary alliance between the PDP and the BJP was born in 2015. We are still suffering the after-effects. I have no intention of repeating mistakes that other people have made.”

Regarding Budgam bypolls, he said candidate announcements would be made within 24-48 hours.

Omar also raised concerns about security arrangements, noting the withdrawal of the J-K Deputy Chief Minister’s security, “It is for the police to answer. For a year there was a threat and suddenly the threat has disappeared. On what basis was he given this level of security for one year and now that security is gone?”

On governance issues, he said, “We appointed an Advocate General within days of coming to power. Infact, the existing AG was asked to continue, but he was stopped from attending work…as of now, technically we have an Advocate General. The Advocate General just hasn't been allowed to work… we are probably the only state or territory without one attending court.”

Regarding tourism, he remarked, “Unfortunately, we are talking in two different voices from within J&K. The elected government talks about tourism promotion. Through the unelected government, a good part of Kashmir is still closed for tourism. Now, when tourists ask to come here, they are told it is closed due to security.”

He added that, once J-K regains statehood, he will “remove the Public Safety Act through ordinance without waiting for the Assembly session.”