Omar Abdullah withholds comment on LG Manoj Sinha’s statehood remarks, seeks full context first
At Kashmir Marathon Expo, Omar sidesteps political row, focuses on tourism and sports promotion
- Omar says he will respond to LG’s remarks at the right time after verifying statement details
SRINAGAR, Oct 31: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday declined to comment on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s recent statement regarding the issue of statehood, saying he would respond only after reading the LG’s exact words. Abdullah’s restrained approach came after Sinha’s remarks at an event stirred political curiosity about the ongoing debate on the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
While addressing an event at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) earlier in the day, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reportedly said that the absence of statehood should not be used as an excuse for “underperformance,” asserting that the elected government possesses all administrative powers necessary for governance and development.
When questioned by reporters about Sinha’s statement, Abdullah said he preferred not to comment without verifying the accuracy of the remarks. “First, I would like to see the words he has used, because if there is a difference in what he has stated and what you are saying, then if I say something which is wrong, it will not be good,” he remarked. He further added that if the LG had indeed made the comments as reported, he would respond to them “at the appropriate time.”
Abdullah made the statement while attending the inaugural ceremony of the Kashmir Marathon Expo in Srinagar. Speaking about the event, he praised the organisers for their efforts in promoting sports culture and tourism in the region. “When I participated in the half-marathon in Delhi, I saw that a similar event was organized there, and people really appreciated it. It is good that an expo is also being organized along with the run,” he said.
He noted that the expo would serve as a platform to highlight Jammu and Kashmir’s rich handicraft traditions and tourism potential, expressing hope that such events would attract more visitors and enhance the region’s visibility on the national sports and tourism map.
