On May 11, 2026, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to address several pressing governance issues, particularly the status of statehood for the Union Territory. Abdullah reiterated that statehood remains a key topic in discussions with the Centre, expressing a desire for a more expedited process. He also backed the Centre's decision to grant enhanced telecom powers to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, citing the importance of maintaining law and order. The meeting is significant due to a backlog of pending files from the J&K government awaiting approval from the Centre, including a proposal aimed at rationalizing the reservation policy in educational institutions and government departments. Abdullah's government, which took office in October 2024, has been working on increasing the share of seats for 'Open Merit' applicants to 50%, a proposal that has yet to receive the Centre's nod. Furthermore, the absence of Business Rules, as mandated by the J&K Reorganisation Act of 2019, has created governance challenges, particularly regarding the roles of the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor. Abdullah emphasized the need for direct discussions with the Home Minister to address these ongoing issues.