JAMMU: Sunil Dimple, the President of Mission Statehood Jammu and Kashmir, held a press conference where he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill his election promises regarding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. He emphasized the need to adhere to the directives of the Supreme Court concerning this matter and called for immediate elections for the four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Dimple stated that the delay in restoring statehood is unacceptable and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of obstructing progress on this front.
Dimple also addressed Dr. Farooq Abdullah, President of the National Conference, and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, asserting that any attempts by the BJP to undermine Articles 370 and 35-A will not be tolerated. He claimed that the BJP is pressuring the National Conference government to dilute these articles, which are vital for preserving the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, he accused the BJP of attempting to forge an alliance with the National Conference to further its agenda.
During the press conference, Dimple called on Prime Minister Modi, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and the Chief Election Commissioner to announce election dates for Rajya Sabha seats as well as for municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He insisted that a representative from Jammu, specifically a Dogra, should be nominated for one of the Rajya Sabha seats.
Dimple announced plans for a significant protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in February to advocate for the restoration of statehood, Articles 370 and 35-A, as well as adherence to the conditions outlined in the Instrument of Accession. He expressed that all political parties are in contact and will convene soon to unite in their fight for Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.
Additionally, he criticized the dual power centers in Jammu and Kashmir for creating confusion among youth regarding governance. Dimple demanded that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah provide essential services such as free electricity, drinking water, twelve free LPG cylinders per year, double rations for all residents, and an employment package for educated youth facing unemployment challenges. The press conference was attended by several senior leaders from Mission Statehood, including Sudershan Sharma, Mohan Lal, Bishan Das, Rinku Sharma, Sanjay Kumar, and Brahma Dutt.
