As Er Rasheed calls to delay govt formation in JK until statehood, Omar raises doubts

Srinagar: Er Rasheed, the Awami Ittehad Party supremo and MP from North Kashmir, has issued an assertive call to action for all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the result day. Rasheed demanded a united front to prioritise the restoration of statehood before any political party takes the oath of office or forms a government in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

During a press conference held in Srinagar, Rasheed emphasised that statehood is not a mere political bargaining chip, but a fundamental issue of dignity and rights for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. “Let us send a clear message to the centre,” he urged, “that no party will form a government, or support any government until statehood is restored.”

This unified stance, Rasheed believes, will force the central government to address the demand of statehood. “I appeal to all political parties—National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Conference (PC), Apni Party, ANC, and others—to unite, at least on the issue of statehood,” Rasheed urged political parties to come on a single platform against the Modi-led government’s 2019 decision.

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Rasheed further criticised the recent move by the Lieutenant Governor to nominate five MLAs, questioning the “democratic legitimacy” of this action in a region where the people have been “stripped of their right to self-governance”. “If Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji claims to have integrated Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country, then why are MLAs being nominated here when this practice does not exist anywhere else in the country? Many Kashmiri Pandits have contested elections, so why is there a need to nominate them? This move is against democracy and the constitution,” Rashed lambasted centre.

While admitting the larger issues surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, and the need for a resolution of the Kashmir issue, Rasheed emphasised the immediate urgency of restoring statehood. He called for a “common minimum agenda” that places statehood at the forefront, urging all political parties to set aside their differences and unite for the common good.

“Undoubtedly, our priority is the restoration of Article 370, 35A, and the resolution of the Kashmir issue, but the immediate need and concern should be the restoration of statehood.”

However, Rasheed’s call for unity did not sit well with all political leaders. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah responded sharply, stating, “The man goes to Delhi for 24 hours and comes back to play straight into the hands of the BJP.” He accused Rasheed of inadvertently supporting central rule in Jammu and Kashmir.

In response, an AIP spokesperson defended Rasheed’s stance, emphasising that the push for delaying government formation is rooted in a demand for dignity and democracy. “This statehood was unjustly stripped away under your watch,” the spokesperson remarked. “J&K needs a government built on principles, not one eager for power at the cost of the people’s dignity.”