Srinagar, Oct 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday renewed his call for early restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, asserting that the move was essential for empowering the elected government and honouring the assurances made to the people during last year’s Assembly elections.

Talking to reporters in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district after reviewing ongoing developmental works, CM Omar said, “We are hoping for more powers, and that is why we are stressing on the restoration of statehood. It was a promise made to the people of J&K from the floor of Parliament and reiterated by the Supreme Court, and that promise should be fulfilled.”

He said the National Conference (NC)-led government would continue pressing for the restoration of full statehood.

“Only the Centre and the BJP

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