- By Shivam Shandilya
- Mon, 13 Jan 2025 08:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir. The 6.5-kilometer-long tunnel has been constructed at an altitude of 8,650 feet above sea level in the Ganderbal district on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway.
During the event, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were present. CM Abdullah praised PM Modi for the construction of the Z-Morh Tunnel. In response, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti targeted CM Abdullah.
"Difference between a shortsighted politician & a true statesman. In 2003 then BJP PM Vajpayee during his visit to Srinagar showed great faith in Mufti sahab’s vision of peace with dignity even though PDP had a mere 16 MLAs. Today our CM despite 50 MLAs did everything to appease & normalise Delhi’s unilateral actions in August 2019 that cleaved & robbed J&K of its special status," Mufti posted on X.
While addressing a public gathering, CM Omar Abdullah praised Prime Minister Modi. Omar Abdullah said, "You conducted elections in a fair and independent manner." He added, "People often ask when Jammu and Kashmir will get the status of a state, and I reply that I am fully confident that the promise made by the Prime Minister on the occasion of Yoga Day to grant statehood will be fulfilled."
The chief minister, in his speech, praised Prime Minister Modi for his efforts in bridging the gap between "Dil (heart) and Delhi" and holding assembly polls in the Union Territory while exuding confidence that the statehood restoration promise would soon be fulfilled.
He also acknowledged the Centre's efforts in bringing peace to the borders in J&K and said far-flung areas like Machil, Gurez, Karnah, and Keran along the Line of Control have benefitted with development and tourism. “We cannot imagine how many tourists are enjoying the beauty of these places.”
Modi also repeatedly referred to the chief minister during his nearly half-an-hour-long speech and said he became impatient after Abdullah shared a video and the pictures of the Z-Morh tunnel on his social media account on the eve of its inauguration.
“The weather, snow and the beautiful mountains are enough to make hearts happy...As Abdullah said I have a long association with this region as I remember spending time as an ordinary worker of BJP in Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Ganderbal and Baramulla.
"I have walked for hours together in the snow but was always warmly welcomed by the people who never allowed me to feel cold,” the prime minister said.
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It is worth mentioning that since the formation of the Omar government, Mehbooba Mufti has been continuously pressuring for the restoration of the state's status. She has also been actively raising issues related to reservations.