Jammu, Feb. 18 -- Jammu and Kashmir Minister Javed Ahmed Rana on Wednesday reiterated the demand of statehood for the Union Territory, stressing that it has been delayed a lot.

Speaking to the media, Rana said, "It has been delayed a lot. The minister had said that delimitation and elections would be held in the UT, and that after that, it would become a state. The elections have happened, but it's late. It should be done today."

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that the process to restore statehood to the Union Territory is "underway," even though it has taken longer than expected, and expressed hope that the wait may not be much longer.

Speaking about the demand for full statehood, CM Abdullah...