New Delhi: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has urged that the first priority of the newly-elected J&K assembly should be to pass a resolution denouncing the Centres 2019 decision to revoke Article 370, which granted the region special status, and to restore J&Ks statehood. The statement comes ahead of the Union territorys first assembly elections since 2014, scheduled for September 18, 25, and October 1, with vote counting on October 4.“The first order of business of the elected assembly should be to make it known not just to the rest of India but to the world at large that the people of J&K dont agree with what happened to us on August 5, 2019, and then we start undoing what was done to us,” said Abdullah, who serves as the vice president of the National Conference (NC).Jammu and Kashmirs situationThe Centres BJP-led government removed Article 370 from the Indian Constitution on August 5, 2019, and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This reorganization officially took effect on October 31, 2019 Omar Abdullah also emphasized the significance of the upcoming elections, calling them the “most important in the last three generations” as they are taking place after the regions delimitation and the loss of its special status. He noted, “These elections are happening when Ladakh is no longer a part of us. The results will have far-reaching consequences.”Abdullah, a vocal critic of the Modi governments Article 370 decision, also mentioned ongoing challenges in seat-sharing discussions with Congress. He stated, “While the door is not closed for an alliance, seat-sharing has its own challenges. We havent heard from Congress after a preliminary round of talks, but its not a closed chapter yet.”
