 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah subtly pressed for the restoration of statehood on Friday, using humor to highlight his "demotion" from the head of a state to the chief minister of a Union Territory.
Omar Abdullah made his remarks while sharing the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at a grand inauguration event for several railway projects, including the Chenab bridge and the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express.
Addressing the gathering after the inauguration of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, Abdullah reminisced about his long-standing association with major railway developments in the region. “I have been fortunate to be a part of key railway milestones in Jammu and Kashmir, whether it was the inauguration of Anantnag Railway Station or the Banihal Railway Tunnel,” he recalled.
In a nod to history, Abdullah pointed out that during Modi’s first tenure in 2014, a similar gathering took place for the launch of the Udhampur-Katra rail link. “The same four individuals were present at that event. While Manoj Sinha, then Minister of State for Railways, was later promoted to Lieutenant Governor, I was demoted—from Chief Minister of a state to Chief Minister of a UT,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Despite his lighthearted tone, Abdullah “Things will return to normal soon, and J&K will regain its statehood under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
The newly launched Vande Bharat Express, connecting Katra to Srinagar, marks a significant step in the Union government's efforts to enhance infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. However, Abdullah ensured that the occasion also served as a reminder of the region’s political concerns, particularly the demand to reverse the revocation of statehood following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Reflecting on his political journey, Abdullah humorously compared his fate to that of Manoj Sinha. “If you look at Manoj Sinha’s journey, he received a promotion—thanks to divine blessings. I, on the other hand, faced a slight demotion,” he remarked, blending personal reflection with political undertones.
Amid nostalgia and political messaging, Abdullah also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, acknowledging his role in granting the Jammu-Baramulla rail project national importance. “This project was initiated in 1983–84. When it started, I was in the eighth grade. Today, I’m 55, my children have graduated from college, and finally, it is complete,” he said. |
