CM also calls on Rajnath, Gadkari; take up UT issues
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi and handed over to Modi a copy of the Resolution adopted by the UT Cabinet demanding early restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
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Yesterday, Omar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed several issues of Jammu and Kashmir with him including restoration of Statehood.
The Prime Minister’s handle on X wrote: “CM of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today”. It posted two photographs of Omar Abdullah with Narendra Modi on X in which the Chief Minister is seen exchanging greetings and holding meeting with the Prime Minister.
Omar’s meeting with Modi lasted 30 minutes. Yesterday also, the CM’s meeting with the Home Minister continued for about half an hour.
This is Omar’s first visit to the Union capital after taking over the oath as first Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory on October 16. On October 18, the first Cabinet meeting of new Government held under the chairmanship of Omar Abdullah had passed a resolution demanding restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar is understood to have discussed various issues related to Jammu and Kashmir, including the present security situation and development works with the Prime Minister during their meeting. He also presented a traditional Kashmiri shawl to Modi.
Omar also handed over the resolution passed by his Cabinet last week urging the Central Government to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s Statehood “in its original form”, the sources said.
This restoration, according to the sources, is seen as a crucial step towards initiating a healing process, reinstating constitutional rights and safeguarding the unique identity of the region’s residents.
The Chief Minister has been authorised by the Cabinet to engage with the Prime Minister and the Central Government to advocate for the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
This resolution was also approved by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Omar also met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed prevailing security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir with him.
The Chief Minister sought cooperation for an improved security situation in the Union Territory so that the development work could be completed.
“Met with the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah in New Delhi. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government is looking forward to working with him for Jammu and Kashmir’s progress,” Rajnath Singh wrote on X tagging four photographs of his meeting with Omar Abdullah.
Omar also met Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at his office.
During the meeting, Omar apprised Gadkari about the road connectivity projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister presented Gadkari with a traditional Kashmiri shawl.
Abdullah also met Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and discussed the power situation in the Union Territory. The Minister later put out a tweet along with Abdullah terming it as a courtesy call.
Abdullah had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday and the meeting lasted nearly 30 minutes.
According to officials, it was a courtesy call during which the Chief Minister apprised the Union Home Minister about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and discussed the issue of restoration of Statehood.
Since the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory in 2019, the police force has been under the jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry.
Omar’s meetings with Modi, Shah and Rajnath come four days after terrorists of banned Lashkar-e-Toiba gunned down seven people, including a local doctor, in Ganderbal district’s Gagangir on Sunday and the issue is reported have figured. Steps to prevent such incidents were also discussed, the sources said.
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