New Delhi, 13 July (H.S.): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday described Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's remarks on protesting for the restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory as unfortunate. The party said any attempt to internationalise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir by invoking the name of a foreign leader was inappropriate.

In a statement issued to the media, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said that Omar Abdullah's reference to a foreign leader in connection with Jammu and Kashmir was a highly unfortunate and misguided attempt to internationalise the issue. He asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that every matter related to the region will be resolved strictly within the framework of the Indian Constitution and the country's democratic institutions.

Chugh said that the Central Government has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

He further stated that the abrogation of Article 370 had ushered in a new era of democracy, development, tourism, and good governance in Jammu and Kashmir. According to him, the region is witnessing unprecedented progress, which reflects the Modi government's commitment to public service and development.

Taking a swipe at the opposition, Chugh said that those who had failed to honour their own election manifesto, performed poorly on every front, and remained unable to fulfil their promises were now resorting to false narratives to divert public attention. He added that these were the same political forces that had misled the people for decades through dynastic politics and separatist agendas.

Notably, Omar Abdullah recently announced a fresh phase of the National Conference's protests beginning July 20 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, alleging that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood was being unnecessarily delayed.

Questioning the prolonged delay, Abdullah asked what more his government needed to do to secure the restoration of statehood. He remarked, Do we have to approach US President Donald Trump to get our statehood back?

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar