During the recent launch of the Vande Bharat Express connecting Srinagar and Katra, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah seized the opportunity to publicly appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. His remarks weren’t solely focused on the new railway service; instead, Abdullah used the event as a platform to draw a parallel between the progress made since the 2014 inauguration of the Katra railway station and the ongoing issue of statehood.

Abdullah poignantly recalled the 2014 inauguration, highlighting the significant advancements achieved in Jammu and Kashmir under Modi’s leadership. This juxtaposition served to emphasize his argument for restoring statehood, implicitly suggesting that further progress is contingent upon this key political change. The strategic use of this high-profile event underscores the political significance Abdullah attaches to this ongoing issue.