Farooq Abdullah vows to pass resolution for regional autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir if NC comes to power

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that his party will pass a resolution for regional autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir if the National Conference secures a majority in the state polls. “If Allah blesses us with a majority, within 30 days, we will pass a resolution for regional autonomy,” ANI quoted Abdullah as saying. Jammu and Kashmir was placed under President's Rule on Wednesday, six months after imposition of Governor’s Rule on 19 June in the wake of People’s Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party (PDP-BJP) coalition government falling apart. [caption id=“attachment_4375281” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah. Firstpost/Sameer Yasir[/caption] The Assembly was kept in suspended animation to look at the possibility of fresh government formation in the state but Governor Satya Pal Malik decided to dissolve the Assembly on 21 November. Former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that Assembly polls were held in Jammu and Kashmir within the stipulated six months following the dissolution of the Assembly. “Sir, please also commit your government to Assembly elections in J&K. Vested interests, including some occupying positions of authority in J&K, are trying to engineer a delay,” the National Conference leader had said in a tweet. “Your government’s handling of J&K will be judged by whether assembly elections are on time or not sir,” he had said, responding to a tweet from Modi lauding the high voter turnout in the state during the panchayat and urban local bodies polls. “The high voter turnout in the polls clearly displays immense faith that people of J&K have put in grass root democratic institutions of the country. Essence of democracy lies in empowerment of the common citizen, to which our government is totally committed,” Modi had tweeted. Omar had said he was looking forward to a commitment from the Prime Minister that an elected government will be in place by May next year. “Six months from the date of dissolution means a return to elected government before the end of May 2019. We look forward to your personal commitment to keeping to that schedule jenab PM sahib,” Omar had said. With inputs from PTI