'No! Simple as that': Omar Abdullah on chances of Article 370 restoration during PM Modi's tenure

Omar also addressed concerns regarding his perceived approach towards PM Modi-led government

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the restoration of Article 370 is not possible.

In an interview with BBC, Omar said he had not given up on the fight for the restoration of Article 370. He was asked if there was any possibility of Article 370 being restored in J&K till Modi is the Prime Minister of India. “No! simple as that,” Omar told BBC.

BBC- Is there any possibility of Special Autonomous Status (Article 370) being restored in Jammu and Kashmir till Modi is Prime Minister of India?Omar Abdullah- No! simple as that pic.twitter.com/HICRI0Nbik

Megh Updates (@MeghUpdates) February 20, 2025

The J&K CM also said still would be possible to maintain an “amicable” relation with PM Modi.

In August 2019, the Centre abolished Article 370 of the Constitution, stripping Kashmir of the significant autonomy it had enjoyed for seven decades.

Omar also clarified that maintaining a good working relationship with the Centre should not be misconstrued as an alliance with the BJP. “Working in a congenial relationship is not something that should be mistaken for friendship or alliance,” he said.

Omar also addressed concerns regarding his perceived approach towards PM Modi-led government. According to him, in the early stages of his tenure, it was vital to foster a cooperative relationship with the Centre.

He was referring to media reports about his recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the backdrop of the reports that NC President Farooq Abdullah has been “working out some political alliance with the BJP”.

He also said in the early stages of his tenure, it was vital to foster a cooperative relationship with the Centre. “At least in the opening few months of my government I owe it to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to try and establish a good working relationship with the government of India. If that fails to deliver on the promises that the government of India has made to us, we will relook at it,” he told BBC.

Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti recently asked  Omar to refrain from endorsing the Centre's abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in the formulation of business rules for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

The former chief minister warned that such a move would legitimise the "illegal and unconstitutional" actions taken by the BJP-led central government to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A. In a strongly worded statement, the PDP president said despite the Supreme Court's ruling in favour of the Centre's decision, several legal experts believe that Article 370 cannot be abrogated by any authority, including Parliament.

"While the BJP may not restore these rights, it is likely that India, as a nation, will have to do so sooner or later. Any endorsement by the J&K government would weaken this claim and diminish the state's position. We have to keep the argument and narrative alive," she said.

Mufti also reminded the BJP-led Union government of the understanding it showed during the peak of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir.