Srinagar, Jun 24,2025 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said he is open to the dissolution of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and holding fresh elections if statehood is restored.
Reacting to a media report suggesting that statehood may return but with fresh elections, Abdullah said, “Let them do it, who’s stopping them?” Speaking to reporters in Gulmarg, he emphasized that statehood is the people’s right, not a privilege for MLAs or the government.
He alleged the report was planted to intimidate legislators. “This statehood is not for MLAs, it’s for the people. If threatening Assembly dissolution is a tactic to stall it—go ahead. The day statehood is restored, we’ll recommend dissolving the Assembly the very next day,” Abdullah asserted.
He urged the Centre to stop “planting stories” and restore statehood without delay.
