Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of Jammu and Kashmir has publicly questioned the Union government's delay in restoring statehood to the region, suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government may need to seek external intervention.

In a statement reported by The Indian Express and The Times of India, Abdullah criticized the Centre for ambiguously defining the 'appropriate time' for statehood restoration, asking if the BJP's political dominance in the region is a prerequisite.

He emphasized that the people of J&K deserve a clear timeline and urged the government to address their demands directly rather than evading responsibility.

The National Conference, Abdullah's party, plans to hold a protest in New Delhi during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, demanding the restoration of J&K's statehood.

The Supreme Court recently upheld the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to J&K, and the Centre has stated that statehood will be restored at an 'appropriate time' after consultations.

Abdullah's remarks highlight growing frustration among separatist leaders and citizens over the prolonged delay, with calls for transparency and accountability from the Union government.