Srinagar, Sept 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday asserted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir should not be “punished” for the BJP’s failure in recent elections, emphasizing that statehood is a constitutional right that cannot depend on the outcome of any political party.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar said, “The Supreme Court was informed that there would be a three-step process — delimitation, elections, and then statehood. Delimitation has been completed, elections were held, and people participated. Unfortunately, BJP did not win, but that cannot be a reason to deny statehood. This is injustice.”

He further remarked, “If the BJP fights against statehood, it is fighting against the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It was never said that statehood would be granted

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