SRINAGAR, Sept. 26 -- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday put the BJP on the spot over its position on restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, challenging its 29 legislators to debate the issue in the Assembly and then make their stand clear through a vote.

Omar said the resolution moved by him in the Legislative Assembly was aimed solely at seeking the immediate and full restoration of statehood and had nothing to do with Article 370, special status, or autonomy.

"Today we are only asking the BJP to vote on statehood. We are not asking them to vote on Article 370, special status, or autonomy. Those resolutions have already been passed by the House," Omar told the media.

Nearly two years, he said, had passed since the Assembly...