Srinagar, Oct 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday renewed his demand for the early restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, asserting that it would empower the elected government to better serve the people and fulfil its promises made during last year’s assembly polls.

Speaking to reporters in Kulgam, Abdullah said he had expected the Centre to honour its commitment to restore statehood, as assured in Parliament and before the Supreme Court. “We are hoping for more powers, and that is why we stress on the restoration of statehood — because it is a promise made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that his government would continue to press for it.

On PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s reported conditions for supporting the ruling party in the Rajya Sabha polls, Abdull

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