Jammu, Jan 12 (KNO): National Conference (NC) president and former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday strongly rejected the idea of dividing Jammu and Kashmir.
"These regions are one and cannot be separated. Any split would be like cutting off the head from the body, with Jammu as the head and Kashmir as the torso," Dr Abdullah, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said during a visit to the Narwal Fruit Mandi here on Monday.
His remarks directly countered a "controversial" demand by BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma for separate statehood to the Jammu region, citing alleged discrimination.
However, the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir president, Sat Sharma, has distanced himself from the proposal, clarifying that it does not reflect the party's official stand.
Dr Abdullah went further, claiming that even the people of Ladakh — carved out as a separate Union Territory following the 2019 revocation of Article 370 by the BJP-led central government — now wish to rejoin the fold of Jammu and Kashmir.
Accompanied by senior NC leaders, including Jammu provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta and chairman of the Scheduled Caste Cell Vijay Lochan, the former CM engaged with office-bearers of the Narwal Fruit Mandi Association.
He listened attentively to their concerns, ranging from infrastructure upgrades to better facilities, and assured them that the NC-led government in the UT is committed to addressing these issues promptly.
Highlighting the administration's efforts over the past year, Abdullah emphasised initiatives aimed at the betterment of all people in Jammu and Kashmir.
“There is no need to worry… all the promises made to the people will be fulfilled,” he said, reaffirming the party's focus on equitable development and unity across regions—(KNO)