Srinagar, April 28 -- Addressing the one-day special session of the legislative assembly, Abdullah said, "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."

Winding up the discussion on a resolution condemning the Pahalgam attack, Abdullah asserted that political demands must not be made on the graves of the victims."Should I have no value for the 26 lives lost and go to the Centre demanding statehood now?" he asked.

Some legislators had earlier urged that statehood be restored as a means to strengthen the fight against terrorism. Responding to them, Abdullah said the National Co...