Srinagar, Aug. 17 -- Former Minister and Senior Vice President of J&K People's Conference, Abdul Gani Vakil, has strongly reacted to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's 15th August announcement regarding a signature campaign for restoration of statehood, calling it a political gimmick aimed at exploiting the emotions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Vakil questioned Omar Abdullah's double standards by pointing out that he is silent on the restoration of Article 370 and 35-A, despite the fact that the people of J&K gave him a huge mandate with the hope of safeguarding these constitutional guarantees and ensuring good governance. "It is strange that Omar Abdullah talks of statehood but has nothing to say about 370 and 35-A. If he was even re...