# Omar Abdullah: J&K statehood delay cost me huge political capital 2026-08-08T13:40:20+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Saturday that the prolonged delay in restoring statehood has cost him huge political credibility. In an interview, Abdullah said his strategy of building a constructive relationship with the Centre to secure early statehood has backfired, eroding public trust. He urged the government to set a clear timeline, calling the current 'appropriate time' promise a shifting finish line. Abdullah rejected the argument that statehood must wait until terrorism is eradicated, noting his elected government has no control over security. He described a Union territory with an Assembly as an 'abomination', pointing to administrative paralysis. Abdullah also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal pledge, calling it a 'Modi Ka Wada', and said his government will continue to agitate for statehood through dialogue and protests. ## Coverage - greaterkashmir.com - indiatoday.in Tags: Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir statehood, Modi government, Omar Abdullah, The Wire, Union Territory Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/omar-abdullah-says-he-lost-political-capital-over-j-k-statehood-delay/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/omar-abdullah-says-he-lost-political-capital-over-j-k-statehood-delay/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.