NC joining statehood movement a welcome step: J&K Congress

Jammu and Kashmir Congress working president Raman Bhalla on Sunday welcomed the National Conference's proposed protest for restoration of the UT's statehood in Delhi next week, describing it as a positive, albeit delayed, step towards achieving a common objective.Bhalla's remarks comes hours after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asserted that the July 20 demonstration in Delhi by his National Conference will mark the beginning of a new phase in the party's campaign for statehood to the Union Territory.

Reacting to the development, the Congress leader said the demand for the restoration of full statehood has consistently been the party's principal political agenda since the bifurcation of the erstwhile state in August 2019.

"Congress has been at the forefront of the struggle and has repeatedly raised the issue both in Jammu and Kashmir and at the national level. It is good that the National Conference has finally joined our struggle for the restoration of statehood. Though the move comes belatedly, it is a step in the right direction," Bhalla said on the sidelines of party's protest rally at Nai Basti here.

The protest march was staged at Rampura-Nai Basti area of Jammu city with participants chanting slogans against financial irregularities in Ram temple and restoration of statehood to JK and resignation of the Union Education minister over NEET paper leak.

Bhalla questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narender Modi over the financial irregularities in Ram temple's donations and demanded that trust should be dissolved and handed over to Saints, Sadhus and Shankracharyas besides holding of Supreme Court monitored probe.

Referring to the demand for restoration of statehood to J&K, he said Congress has been fighting for statehood for nearly two years. "We went to Jantar Mantar and launched a movement in every block of J&K." The Congress reiterated that the restoration of statehood is essential for ensuring accountable governance, strengthening democratic institutions, and addressing the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.