Srinagar: On Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) unanimously elected Omar Abdullah as the leader of its Legislative Party. Omar Abdullah, who also serves as the president of JKNC, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the party’s legislators. "There was a meeting of the National Conference's Legislative Party, and the Legislative Party decided on its leader. I am deeply grateful to the National Conference legislators for reposing faith in me, trusting me, and giving me the chance to go to Raj Bhavan and stake a claim to form the government," Abdullah said.

He also highlighted ongoing discussions with the Congress for their letter of support, which is crucial for forming a coalition government. "Talks are going on to get the letter of support from the Congress. Four independent MLAs have also extended their support to the National Conference," he added. With these allies, the National Conference now has the support of 42 MLAs, including four independents. Abdullah mentioned that after securing the Congress's backing, he would proceed to Raj Bhavan to officially stake his claim to form the government.

Earlier in the day, Abdullah stressed the importance of restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. He suggested that once a government is formed, it should pass a resolution and begin discussions with the Union government for the restoration of statehood. "Once the government is formed, it should pass a resolution and then engage in talks with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and other ministers in Delhi," he said.

He further emphasized the need for cooperation with the Lieutenant Governor (LG) for the benefit of the people. "We do not seek a major confrontation between the LG and the government. Instead, we aim for peaceful cooperation and to work for the people until we regain our rightful status as a state. We hope to restore statehood as soon as possible," he added. When asked about a congratulatory call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abdullah confirmed the conversation. "The Prime Minister congratulated the National Conference, and I expressed my thanks. I also conveyed our desire for a cooperative and conducive atmosphere to work for the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he stated.

Abdullah declined to comment on portfolio allocations or the possibility of a Congress leader assuming the role of Deputy Chief Minister. He emphasized the responsibility of meeting the public’s expectations, especially given the coalition's success in securing numerous seats. He assured that the future government would serve all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations or voting behavior. "We are not the type to seek revenge on those who didn't vote for us. The upcoming government will represent the Congress, the National Conference, the BJP, and even those who abstained from voting. In Srinagar, only 20 percent voted--should we ignore the remaining 80 percent? They too deserve the benefits of governance. Similarly, the people of Jammu, who voted for the BJP, also have the right to benefit from the government," Abdullah concluded.

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