Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana on Sunday launched a signature campaign from his Mendhar constituency in Poonch district, advocating for the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory, as announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Speaking at the Independence Day function in Srinagar on Friday, Chief Minister Abdullah referred to the Supreme Court’s observations on the Pahalgam attack during a recent hearing of a plea for statehood restoration. He expressed concern that the people of the region are being “punished” for a crime in which they had no involvement.
“The Supreme Court has given the government eight weeks to respond. From today, we will go door-to-door across all 90 Assembly segments to collect signatures for the restoration of statehood. If people do not support this, I will accept defeat,” he said, adding that the collected signatures will be submitted to the apex court.
Continuing the campaign at a National Conference event in Mendhar, which welcomed back several former party workers, Rana—also Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs—accused the central government of failing to honor its promise to restore statehood following Assembly elections.
“I have begun this campaign with my own signature and urge all residents of my constituency to participate,” he said.
Welcoming the return of prominent party activists, Rana described it as a “good omen” for the campaign. “Those who left after the last Assembly elections have returned. This marks the beginning of our ‘Unite Mendhar Campaign,’ aimed at advancing the National Conference agenda for the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Pir Panjal region.”
He added, “The central government promised to restore statehood upon completion of the delimitation exercise and Assembly elections. Fulfilling this promise is a moral duty and will help bridge the gap between Delhi and J&K.”
Rana also criticized the dual power structure in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it the “biggest hurdle” for the National Conference government in serving the public. “Our projects and proposals are often stalled by the Lieutenant Governor, which undermines the democratic system.”
