National Conference (NC) President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said on Monday (22 September) that running the government here is like “walking on the edge of the sword”.

He indicated that the state’s status back is up in the agenda. He said, “State status is an important issue and people of Jammu and Kashmir hope that it will be restored.” He further said that the focus should be focused on pressurizing Delhi for this demand.

Tanj on GST question

Farooq Abdullah said, “In the current situation, running the government is like walking on the edge of the sword, but we have to run the government.” When asked about the cuts in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Farooq Abdullah taunted that the state status issue should be given priority.

When asked on the issue of separatist leader Yasin Malik, Farooq Abdullah refused to make any concrete remarks. He told reporters, “The matter is in court and the court will decide.”

What did Farooq Abdullah say on Mehraj Malik?

Farooq Abdullah expressed his disagreement over the Public Safety Act (PSA) imposed on Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, although he criticized the selection of the MLA’s words.

The former Chief Minister said, “The PSA imposed on Mehraj Malik is not appropriate, but the unconnected language he used was wrong. We have no right on this subject; this right is with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.”

On 5 August 2019, the Central Government removed Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and divided the state to two union territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Since then, there is a demand for state status to Jammu and Kashmir. The government says that the state status of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored at the right time.