New Delhi, April 15 -- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday voiced optimism about the restoration of the region's statehood, stating that the "appropriate time has come."

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a long-delayed bridge in Pulwama district, Abdullah expressed hope that the central government would soon fulfil its promise to reinstate statehood.

"We think the appropriate time has come, six months have passed since the assembly elections. (Union Home Minister Amit) Shah came here, I had a separate meeting with him, a good one ... I am still hopeful that J&K will soon get its statehood back," he said.

CM Omar Abdullah also addressed opposition criticism regarding the Waqf Amendment Act, explaining why an...