New Delhi: Folowing the assembly poll results, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav said that while Jammu and Kashmir will regain statehood but certain conditions must be met.
In an NDTV interview, Madhav affirmed the BJP’s commitment to restoring statehood, stating, “We have committed to this on the floor of the House,” but was cautious about providing a specific timeline.
Madhav noted that Jammu and Kashmir has seen significant progress over the past 5 to 10 years, moving beyond its “terror-based identity” to a relatively peaceful state. He highlighted the inclusion of Jamaat in the electoral process as a key achievement.
He said that local leaders must offer assurances that separatist tendencies won’t resurface, adding, “Those in power should reassure Delhi that these tendencies won’t return, then full statehood is possible.”
Madhav expressed concerns about demands to release jailed militats and restore Article 370, questioning how these issues could be managed if such views entered the assembly.
Nonetheless, he reaffirmed that the BJP supports granting statehood to the Union Territory sooner rather than later.
This comes after the National Conference and Congress alliance won 49 out of 90 seats in Jammu and Kashmir’s assembly elections, with statehood being a central campaign promise for the NC, Congress, and BJP.
