JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said he will not take advantage of the Pahalgam terror attack to press for restoration of the Union Territory’s statehood.

“The security in Jammu and Kashmir is not the responsibility of the UT’s elected government. But I will not use this occasion to seek statehood. How can I push for statehood now? I do not believe in cheap politics. Should I have no value for the 26 lives lost and go to the Centre demanding statehood now?” Abdullah said, winding up the discussion on a resolution passed on the Pahalgam terror attack in the legislative assembly.

He was referring to some members in the House who demanded statehood restoration to defeat terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.