Omar Abdullah meets Amit Shah, raises statehood and reservation rationalisation

Srinagar: J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday met Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi where he raised a range of issues concerning the Union Territory, including the restoration of statehood and rationalisation of reservation.

Abdullah met Shah at a time when he was facing heat from both the Opposition PDP and BJP in J&K over his inability to address several long-pending issues concerning the UT. The ruling National Conference said Abdullah held detailed talks on several matters related to J&K.

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"This included restoration of statehood, transaction of business rules, rational reorganisation of reservation, and other key issues connected to public welfare, well-being and governance," NC said in a statement. It further stated that the meeting also deliberated on the current security and economic situation, with emphasis on ensuring sustainable peace and stability and all-round development for the people of J&K. "I wish we could have got our statehood after one meeting with the home minister. If that was the case, we would have got it a long time ago. But yes, I will raise these issues," said Abdullah while interacting with reporters in Srinagar ahead of the meeting in New Delhi.

Shah had earlier stated that statehood would be restored in J&K after the completion of delimitation exercise, which concluded in 2023, and assembly elections, which were held in 2024.

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The Abdullah government has sent files related to the transaction of business rules and the rationalisation of reservation policy to the Lok Bhavan, but has not received any response. The elected government and the Lok Bhavan under LG Manoj Sinha are not on the same page regarding the appointment of the attorney general of J&K.