Political parties in Jammu Kashmir on Saturday voiced strong opposition to the Centre’s move to vest more powers in the Union Territory’s Lieutenant Governor for decisions related to police and all-India service officers.
The Centre has amended the rules under the Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which was enacted for the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territories of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh while abrogating Article 370.
As a result, decisions regarding the appointment of the advocate general and other law officers, as well as matters related to the anti-corruption bureau, will now be taken by the Lt Governor.
The main regional outfits—the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—argued that this decision would “disempower” the people of Jammu Kashmir, while the Congress called it the “murder of democracy.” The Apni Party urged all parties to set aside differences and unitedly protest against the move.
NC Vice President Omar Abdullah criticized the move, saying the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve better than a “powerless, rubber stamp” chief minister who would have to beg the Lt Governor for even minor appointments. Abdullah noted that the move is “another indicator that elections are around the corner in J&K” and emphasized the need for a firm commitment to restoring full statehood before these elections.
NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq described the decision as “a blatant misuse of power” by the BJP-led government at the Centre, aimed at weakening the democratic voice of the people. He stressed that the preference for an unelected Lt Governor over an elected government undermines the future of democracy in J&K.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter and media advisor, Iltija Mufti, echoed these sentiments, stating that the order seeks to undermine the powers of an elected government in J&K. She suggested that this move indicates the Centre’s awareness that a non-BJP government would likely be elected if state elections were held.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani called the move a “murder of democracy,” highlighting that more powers, including police and law and order, have been vested in the Lt Governor.
Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari urged all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to unite against the Centre’s decision. He warned that creating a “powerless assembly” would not be acceptable to the people and emphasized the need for a statehood that is not hollow but empowered to serve the people effectively.
In summary, the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir is highly charged as regional parties collectively resist the Centre’s decision to enhance the Lt Governor’s powers, calling for a restoration of full statehood and empowerment of an elected government.