SRINAGAR, Oct 14: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Para hailed the revocation of President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir as a pivotal step towards reclaiming the rights and dignity lost by the people over the past 6-7 years. He emphasized that the people of Kashmir had voted with the hope of restoring their identity, special status, and the return of Article 370.
Para, speaking to a news agency, stated, “The people of Kashmir have voted for dignity and for the restoration of Article 370 and statehood. They have voted to reclaim the special status that was taken away on August 5, 2019. This vote is not just about ending Presidential rule, but about restoring their pride and protecting their identity. I believe this marks the beginning of the process to recover what has been lost.”
He also expressed hope that the National Conference (NC), which has garnered significant support, would deliver on the promises made to the people. “There are high expectations from this government. We hope they will fulfill the commitments they made in their manifesto, which secured their votes,” Para added.
On Sunday, the President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir was officially revoked, clearing the way for the formation of a new government following the recently concluded assembly elections in the Union Territory. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification confirming the development.
This announcement came just days after National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to formally stake the NC’s claim to form the government. Abdullah had submitted letters of support from various parties, including the Congress, independents, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Following his meeting with LG Sinha, Abdullah mentioned that the swearing-in ceremony could take place by Tuesday (October 15) or Wednesday (October 16), as the LG said it would take 2-3 days to finalize the paperwork.
NC President Farooq Abdullah stated that the top priority of the new government would be the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The NC-Congress alliance, which won a combined 48 seats in the 90-seat assembly, is now set to form the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and the region’s reorganization into two Union Territories in 2019. The NC alone secured 42 seats, with Congress winning six.
