Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday made it clear that he would rather resign than ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to accelerate the restoration of statehood for the Union Territory.
Speaking at a public gathering in Achabal, Anantnag, Abdullah strongly rejected the idea of political compromise. &ldquo;If you (people) are ready, then tell me, because I am not ready to make that trade. If it is needed to include the BJP in the government, then accept my resignation. Make any MLA here the chief minister and form the government with the BJP,&rdquo; he said.
The National Conference leader accused the Centre of failing to honour its commitments on restoring statehood to Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Ladakh. He admitted that including the BJP in the government might have secured an early restoration, but insisted that such a bargain would go against his principles.
&ldquo;Should we have included the BJP in the government? There was a possibility that by including them, we could have got a gift. They would have granted statehood to us sooner. But I am not ready to compromise for power,&rdquo; Abdullah added.
The remarks underline Abdullah&rsquo;s firm stand that statehood must be restored through democratic rights and people&rsquo;s mandate, not through political deals.
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Omar Abdullah: Will Quit Before Joining BJP

J&K CM says he won’t trade statehood for political compromise with BJP

Omar Abdullah: Will Quit Before Joining BJP

J&K CM says he won’t trade statehood for political compromise with BJP

October 1, 2025 | 15:21 IST