Srinagar, April 7 -- Reaffirming Jammu and Kashmir's emotional and constitutional connection with New Delhi, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that the people of J&K still consider it a state in spirit and wish to be a vital part of the country's journey of progress.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 3rd Lok Samvardhan Parv-an event celebrating unity, participation, and progress-the Chief Minister welcomed Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and made an earnest appeal for continued support from the Centre.

"Despite J&K not being a state constitutionally, we are still of the firm belief that it's a state," Abdullah said.

"Jammu and Kashmir has faced a lot of problems in the past, but we ar...