Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 7: National Conference (NC) additional general secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra on Saturday called upon all political parties to rise above partisan considerations and extend unequivocal support to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s initiative for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Addressing a public meeting at Pouni in Reasi Assembly Constituency, Sadhotra said the demand for statehood is a constitutional and democratic aspiration of the people of J&K and not a political slogan. He stressed the need for a united and collective voice to press for the restoration of statehood before the Union Government.
Sadhotra recalled that the Government of India had repeatedly assured restoration of statehood to J&K and that these commitments had been placed on record in Parliament as well as before the Supreme Court. Such assurances, he said, carried both moral and constitutional significance and should be honoured.
Criticizing the BJP, Sadhotra alleged that the party had adopted a contradictory stand on the issue despite earlier commitments. He said the people of J&K were disappointed by what he termed as a retreat from assurances made at the national level. Statehood, he asserted, is a legitimate democratic right and not a favour to be granted at convenience. Sadhotra urged all political parties, irrespective of ideology, to support the demand of statehood in the larger interest of the region.
He maintained that restoration of statehood is essential for strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring accountable governance and restoring the political dignity of the people. Sadhotra reiterated that the National Conference would continue pursuing the issue and work towards building a broad political consensus for its early restoration.
Prominent among those present on the occasion were Mohd Ayoub Malik, Jai Singh, Veer Ji Bhat, Lucky, Ashwani Charak, Vishawjeet Samyal, Tariq Bhat, Dev Raj, Charan Dass, Rattan Lal, Babu Ram, Kailash Sharma, Bishan Bhagat, Usha Devi, Surinder Kour, Kamaljeet Kour, Deedar Singh and Arun Pal Singh.
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