Omar Abdullah says he would resign rather than ally with BJP for J&K statehood restoration

By A Staff Reporter

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said he would never enter into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to accelerate the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory, stressing that he would step down from office instead of compromising on the issue.

Addressing a press conference, Abdullah underlined that the demand for the return of statehood was a constitutional and political right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and should not be linked to party-based arrangements. “For us, the restoration of statehood is non-negotiable. But I will not trade principles for power. If it ever comes to choosing between the two, I would prefer to resign rather than align with the BJP,” he said.