Centre to get first chance to restore J&K statehood: CM

IN HIS FIRST media interaction here Thursday, two-and-a-half months after taking over as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah stressed on restoration of statehood to J&K but added that his government was willing to wait for the Centre to do so rather than taking recourse to courts.

- NAVEED IQBAL

While acknowledging that dual power centres were a problem in running the government, Omar also emphasised that he was under no pressure from the Centre, Raj Bhavan or the BJP to "change our thinking or our language or our agenda".

"From the first day, the PM and the HM (Home Minister) have told me that 'You have been given the mandate and we are in the Opposition. There will be no effort to destabilise this government. The support that we extended to the Lieutenant Governor will be extended to you. We will respect the mandate of the people of J&K'. These are the words of the PM and HM," Omar said.