Autonomy issue to be discussed after PM's return -- Omar

Autonomy issue to be discussed after PM's return -- Omar
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Srinagar, Sept 13: Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Omar Abdullah today said the issue of autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir was still "alive" and would be discussed with the Centre after the Prime Minister's return from US.

"The Centre is constituting a committe for dialogue with the state on this vital issue", Abdullah told reporters here.

The committee would discuss the issue with the state committee announced by Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah which would be held after Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Abdullah return from abroad, he said.

The National Conference leader said the state government wanted an "open-minded" person to represent the Centre in the committee.

To a suggestion that the autonomy demand had been put on the backburner after being shot down by the Union Cabinet, Abdullah said the issue was still alive and the state government had made its position clear in the resolution passed by the assembly.

He said "it is in the interest of the Centre itself to agree to the demand for greater autonomy which is a legitimate proposal made within the ambit of the Constitution".

Abdullah said the National Conference was at the brink of breaking away from the BJP-led National Democratic Front after the Union Cabinet rejected the autonomy demand but the party did not want the course of confrontation.