Jammu and Kashmir’s Statehood Restoration Demand

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

• Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet calls for restoration of full statehood.
• Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha approves the resolution.
• The first session of the new assembly will be held on November 4 in Srinagar.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has approved a resolution by the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet calling for the restoration of full statehood. This resolution was passed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s cabinet, urging the Centre to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood “in its original form.” The move is considered a significant step towards reinstating the identity of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Cabinet has authorized the Chief Minister to raise the matter with the Prime Minister and the Centre. A government spokesperson stated, “The Chief Minister will visit New Delhi in the coming days to meet with the Prime Minister and Union Ministers regarding the restoration of statehood.”

The Cabinet has also scheduled the first session of the newly elected Legislative Assembly for November 4 in Srinagar. The Lieutenant Governor has been advised to address the Assembly at the start of the session. Additionally, the Cabinet has recommended the appointment of Mubarik Gul as Protem Speaker to administer the oath to the newly elected Assembly members on October 21.

The Lieutenant Governor has issued the order appointing Gul as Protem Speaker until a permanent Speaker is elected. Furthermore, the draft address of the Lt Governor to the J&K Assembly at the beginning of the first session has been placed before the council of ministers for further discussion.

Omar Abdullah took office as the first Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir after it became a Union Territory. He served as the Chief Minister of the erstwhile state from 2009 to 2015. In the recent September-October Assembly elections, the National Conference-Congress alliance won 48 out of 90 Assembly seats, with the National Conference emerging as the single largest party, securing 42 seats and the Congress winning six.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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