Sat Oct 19 16:44:56 UTC 2024: **Summary of Jammu Kashmir News:**

1. **Approval for Restoring Statehood**: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved a proposal by CM Omar Abdullah’s cabinet seeking the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.

2. **Amendment Required**: Restoring the statehood requires amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act of 2019, which must be passed by the central government in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and then forwarded to the President for approval.

3. **Cabinet Meeting Note**: The cabinet meeting did not mention Articles 370 and 35A, which were revoked in August 2019 when Jammu and Kashmir was converted into a Union Territory.

4. **Political Maneuvering**: Omar Abdullah’s National Conference has included the statehood issue in its manifesto and planned to present the draft proposal to PM Narendra Modi directly.

5. **Congress’s Stance**: The Congress party decided not to participate in the cabinet until Jammu and Kashmir is granted full statehood, despite an offer for a ministerial position from the National Conference.

6. **Limited Powers for CM**: Following the designation as a Union Territory, Abdullah’s powers have become limited, with many authorities resting with the Lieutenant Governor. The number of ministers in the cabinet has also been capped at ten, including the Chief Minister.

7. **Electoral Context**: This proposal comes after recent elections held in the newly designated Union Territory, highlighting the changing political landscape.

8. **BJP’s Internal Review**: A meeting of the BJP to review recent electoral losses in the region was also mentioned, indicating ongoing political activity surrounding these issues.

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