Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 14 (ANI): After the Centre revoked Presidential rule in Jammu and Kashmir before the formation of a government, National Conference leader Sheikh Bashir Ahmad said on Monday that the people of the Union Territory are happy but their demand is the restoration of statehood.
Ahmad told ANI that in the first meeting of the cabinet, a resolution regarding the statehood will be passed.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are happy that President’s Rule has been removed and a new government is going to be formed here in 1-2 days. The demand of the people of JK is the restoration of statehood, this should be the priority. It is our commitment that in the first meeting of the Cabinet, a resolution will be passed demanding the restoration of statehood. If the BJP loves the people of J-K, then they should restore statehood,” the NC leader said.
President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir was revoked on Sunday, clearing the way for the formation of a new government following the recently concluded assembly elections in the Union Territory.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification in this regard on Sunday.
This development comes two days after National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah met Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Friday to stake claim for government formation. Abdullah submitted letters of support that the NC received in the recently concluded assembly elections.
After his meeting with LG Sinha, Abdullah said that the swearing-in ceremony could take place on Tuesday (October 15) or Wednesday (October 16), as the LG conveyed that completing the necess paperwork would take 2-3 days.
Earlier today, People’s Democratic Party leader Waheed Para, said the revocation of the President’s rule from Jammu-Kashmir is the start of the process to reclaim what the people lost in the last 6-7 years, adding that people’s mandate was for restoring their dignity and protecting their identity.
The PDP leader said that people have pinned a lot of hope on the National Conference, and affirmed hope that the party will fulfil its promises.
This will be the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of the former state into two Union Territories.
The 90 seats in the erstwhile state went to polls in three phases, and the results were announced on October 8. The NC-Congress alliance secured 48 seats, with the NC winning 42 seats on its own, and Congress managing only six seats. (ANI)
