There is a possibility that Jammu and Kashmir will be reinstated as a state in the near future. There are reports suggesting that the Centre may soon commence the process. Nevertheless, there has been no official announcement regarding it. A significant meeting took place on Wednesday evening in Delhi between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In the initial meeting following the formation of the government, the NC government approved a resolution to reinstate the state’s status.
The Centre could initiate the process of reinstating the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. As per reports, the meeting lasted for thirty minutes and took place in a very pleasant environment. The Home Minister has promised the new government that the process of reinstating statehood for Jammu and Kashmir will begin.
Abdullah later mentioned that it was a polite visit, where he informed the Union Home Minister about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and talked about the matter of reinstating statehood. After Jammu and Kashmir was declared a Union Territory in 2019, the police department now falls under the control of the Union Home Ministry.
While in Delhi, Chief Minister Abdullah will have meetings with multiple Union ministers and is expected to also meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. NC had secured victory in 42 out of the 90 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
The proposal of Abdullah’s cabinet, seeking restoration of the state’s status, has been approved by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. As per PTI Bhasha, a spokesperson stated that in the cabinet meeting led by Abdullah on Thursday, the suggestion to reinstate the state’s original status received unanimous approval.
The spokesperson mentioned that the restoration of statehood would mark the start of a reform process that aims to restore constitutional rights and safeguard the identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The spokesperson stated that the Cabinet has also agreed to hold a special session of the Assembly in Srinagar on November 4 and asked the Lieutenant Governor to call the session and speak at it. He mentioned that the initial version of the Lieutenant Governor’s speech to the Assembly for the first meeting was also provided to the Council of Ministers, who then agreed to review it.
Political parties stated that the resolution solely addressed statehood and made no reference to Article 370. The resolution was dubbed as a “complete surrender” and went against the stance of the governing National Conference.