UT with Assembly model should be done away with from Constitution: J&K CM Omar Abdullah

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday (February 5, 2026) reiterated the National Conference’s (NC) stand on the restoration of special status to J&K in the Assembly and pleaded that the model of Union Territory (UT) with Assembly “should be done away with” from the Constitution. He also called for re-opening of closed tourist destinations in Kashmir.

“It’s very hard to work as CM of a UT with Assembly. I appeal to the Prime Minister to as a gift to this nation abolish this system from the Constitution. Either it should be a State or a UT without Assembly. It’s like tying the hand of government from behind and is a fraud with the mandate of people,” said Mr. Abdullah, while speaking inside the J&K Assembly’s Budget session.

He claimed that the J&K budget preparations were made difficult for the elected government when J&K Finance Secretary was transferred to Delhi “in the middle of the process”.

“I came to know about the transfer of my Finance Secretary on social media,” Mr. Abdullah said.

The J&K Chief Minister said the Transaction of Business Rules, required for newly formed UT of J&K, were still in the process. “I am hopeful to have it (the rules) soon. It’s not simple. It’s complicated,” Mr. Abdullah said.

On closure of several tourist destinations in Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack in April last year, Mr. Abdullah said, “Time has come to open tourist places. I assure the House that the issue will be taken up with the Home Minister, who is visiting J&K.”

In the face of criticism from the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and J&K Peoples Conference (JKPC) over not mentioning special status demand in the Lieutenant Governor’s address, Mr. Abdullah said, “The Centre did not touch with Article 370 that defines constitutional relationship between J&K and India. It was hollowed out. We stand by our word on restoration of J&K’s special status, firmly anchored in the Constitution and Article 370. We have already passed resolutions in this direction.”

Mr. Abdullah also questioned the BJP legislators’ remarks on local militancy ending in J&K and Statehood only when guns fell silent in J&K.

“If no one joined militancy from J&K, then who were involved in the Red Fort blast. You came up with white collar and hybrid terrorism terms for such locals from Kashmir. Who is to be blamed for the Pahalgam attack? How did militants reach Udhampur where an encounter took place a few days ago? How is this government responsible for militancy taking roots in those areas where it was uprooted during our rule,” Mr. Abdullah said. He also praised “ordinary Kashmiris for coming out to protest against the Pahalgam attack”.

He said Statehood was a promise made by the BJP in its manifesto. “It was promised that after delimitation and elections, Statehood will follow. Why this prolonged delay then? Why punish people?” he added.

Meanwhile, the J&K Chief Minister apprised the House that the rationalisation of reservation proposal, submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, was with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

“Those who would protest outside my residence over reservation should repeat the same outside the Home minister’s residence now or try to hand over a memorandum,” Mr. Abdullah said.

On the recent controversy over MBBS admissions at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, Mr. Abdullah blamed the BJP for making it an issue. “It should now try to get minority status for the college so that Hindus study there. The same people are demanding National Law University for Jammu and will protest again if Muslims get admissions there,” he added.