Jammu, Dec. 4 -- Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the authority to declare public holidays rests with the Centre, not the elected government of the Union Territory, adding that this is why J&K needs its full statehood back.

He said whether a holiday is declared on Sheikh Abdullah's birth anniversary or not, the late leader's place "resides in the hearts of the people."

"Under the distribution of powers, the elected government here has not been given the authority to declare or remove a holiday. That power lies with the central government," he said. "This is why we say give us back statehood so that we can take both big and small decisions ourselves."

Omar said Sheikh Abdullah's stature does not depend on of...