As NC completes 10 months in office, pitch for J&K’s statehood gets louder

With the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government in its 10th month, the parties especially the ruling NC and Congress have raised a pitch for J&K’s statehood for the past couple of weeks.

- Mir Ehsan

The coalition partners, however, have adopted different paths instead of fighting for statehood restoration jointly.

While Congress has already begun a series of protests for statehood, the NC is also now raising statehood issues more frequently at all levels and many leaders are now suggesting the party explore legal options in case the centre doesn’t keep its promise.

Though NC and Congress contested assembly elections as coalition partners, the Congress stayed out of power saying that unless statehood is restored they won't become part of the government. Omar Abdullah had adopted a reconciliatory approach with the Centre with a hope of statehood restoration, however, NC is getting apprehensive and many leaders suggest the party explore legal options.