"1.4 crore people of J-K want state to be restored": Congress' Ghulam Ahmad Mir

Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], March 2 (ANI): Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir on Sunday reiterated the demand for restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that it's the wish of the region's 1.4 crore people.
His remarks came ahead of the Union Territory's Budget Session, which begins on March 3.
Mir emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir's current status as a Union Territory is a major obstacle to effectively serving the people. According to Mir, the restoration of statehood is not a partisan issue but rather a people's demand. He clarified that this demand has nothing to do with the BJP or any other party but is instead a reflection of the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
"It is the demand of the people... It has nothing to do with the BJP or any other party... 1.4 crore people of Jammu and Kashmir want the state to be restored...," said Mir.
Mir's statement comes ahead of the Budget Session, where the Congress party, in alliance with the National Conference (NC), is expected to raise this issue. The Congress leader's assertion highlights the significance of statehood restoration in the region's politics and the lives of its people.
"It is not a state but a Union Territory as of now... There are some hurdles and speed breakers... It is our demand and people's wish that the statehood should be restored first, then the hurdles will be removed and we can serve as many people as possible....," he said.
After the parties' meeting ahead of the Budget Session, NC chief whip Mubarak Gul told ANI, "... Discussions were held to run the upcoming session smoothly... and the issues of the people are raised... Everyone wants statehood to be restored. Every child of Jammu and Kashmir wants that..."
National Conference MLA Ajaz Jan said that the issue of Statehood will be discussed in a cabinet meeting scheduled to be held before the Budget Session.
"The CM has said that all of us can raise the issues concerning our constituencies... The budget will be tabled tomorrow. There is also a cabinet meeting before that; we will discuss the issue of statehood... The CM has also assured that he is hopeful that the statehood would be restored by the end of this year...," Jan told ANI.
National Conference leader Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri told ANI, "There is a meeting of the National Conference legislature party...the issues of the people will be discussed...Statehood will also be discussed..."
Notably, the restoration of Article 370, the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, and the implementation of the autonomy resolution were key promises in the National Conference's manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir elections.
On August 2019, the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi repealed Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, effectively ending the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)