If elected, will grant autonomy to J&K regions, says Farooq Abdullah

JAMMU : Ruling out possibility of an alliance in the ensuing elections to Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday said, if voted to power, his party’s government will grant regional autonomy to various regions of the state.

“NC has already formulated a blueprint in this regard, which will be the top agenda of our government”, the former CM said.

Abdullah said J&K is a unique state and needs special dispensation in terms of autonomy to different regions in order to satiate urges and aspiration of people. He said major ground work was already done between 1996 and 2000 in this regard to empower people at the grass roots level and enable them to take decisions as per their regional priorities.

“This will not only help in decentralization of powers but enhance the spirit of participatory decision making,” Abdullah added. He said the regional autonomy will build mutual trust among people and result in state’s growth and development with equal opportunity for all.

Abdullah stated that there is a change in public mood with respect to state leadership.

“The NC’S goodwill reflects people’s urge to steer out the state from the morass created by misgovernance of the previous government to peace and development. With public support, we are confident to provide a stable and people-friendly government in J&K,” he said.