Jammu, July 19 -- National Conference Provincial President for Jammu Rattan Lal Gupta on Saturday accused the BJP-led Union government of delaying the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood despite the fulfilment of conditions cited earlier by the Centre.

Addressing a meeting of party functionaries at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan in Jammu, Gupta alleged that the Centre had repeatedly shifted its position on the issue. He said delimitation had been completed, Assembly elections had been held, an elected government was in place, the security situation had improved and tourism and pilgrimages were continuing peacefully.

According to a party statement, Gupta questioned the delay in restoring statehood and sought an explanation from the Centr...