Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir for the second time after the abrogation of Article 370 on Friday. Addressing a poll rally in Udhampur as a star campaigner for Union Minister Jitendra Singh, the Prime Minister made a significant promise of the restoration of the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that Assembly elections will "soon" be conducted in the region.
"The time is not far when Assembly Elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir will get the status of statehood," PM Modi said.
"Addressing a public rally in Udhampur, PM Modi says, "Modi thinks far ahead. So what has happened so far is just the trailer. I have to get busy in creating a new and wonderful picture of the new Jammu and Kashmir," he added.
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It Is Now A Compulsion For Him: Omar Abdullah On PM's J&K Statehood Remark
Swiftly responding to PM Modi's remarks, Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said that the Prime Minister is not doing a "favour" by saying that Assembly polls will soon be conducted in the state.
Lashing out at the PM, Abdullah said that Modi should explain why Article 370 was removed in the first place.
The former J&K CM said, "It is the verdict of the Supreme Court. It would have been a favour for us if he (PM Modi) had conducted elections before the verdict of the Supreme Court."
Saying that conducting an election in the region is a compulsion for the Prime Minister, Abdullah said, "It is the Supreme Court's verdict to conduct elections in J&K before 30th September".
Earlier in the day, NC leader Farooq Abdullah, former CM of J&K and father of Omar Abdullah, said that his son will be contesting the Lok Sabha elections from North Kashmir, whereas, Aga Ruhullah will contest from Central Kashmir.