Omar Abdullah faces increasing pressure for statehood restoration as tensions with LG Manoj Sinha escalate.
Srinagar: After the resolution passed by the J&K cabinet led by Omar Abdullah, the ruling National Conference seems in a hurry to control bureaucracy. Recently, Abdullah held a meeting with all the senior bureaucrats, including Chief Secretary of Union Territory, Atal Dulloo. He said categorically that Union Territory status of J&K was temporary, and the bureaucrats should stop using hybrid systems of governance to their advantage.
Addressing administrative secretaries in Srinagar, he referred to an “integrity pledge” that he administered to them and warned, “If anybody thinks that somehow the fact that we are a UT will shield you from the consequences of practices that go against the pledge, please remember the shield may last temporarily.”
Insiders said that the present bureaucratic system in Jammu and Kashmir was inclined to follow the orders from Raj Bhawan rather than from the Chief Minister’s office.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha signalled the tensions when he held a high-level security meeting without inviting Abdullah, who then responded by boycotting UT Foundation Day along with his cabinet.
Sinha told the media on the sidelines of UT Foundation Day, “Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory, and everybody must accept this reality. Those who took oath to uphold the Indian Constitution are opposing UT status of J&K which reflects their dual character.”
Abdullah got support from all the opposition parties, including PDP and Sajad Lone-led PC.
Lone on X wrote, “Why should they rub salt into the wounds of the people of J and K. First, they relegate the politically most empowered state in India to a UT. And now they have the audacity to celebrate it, commemorate it. The elected government should stay away from all such commemorations which disdainfully showcase the collective servitude of the people of J&K”.
Mehbooba Mufti went a step further and called the celebration as a black day for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
She said, “I’ve said this earlier too that J&K has become a laboratory for the BJP. They want to give a message to the minority in the country”.
Most of the senior bureaucrats, including Dulloo in the past few days have shown by their behaviour to the elected government led by Omar Abdullah that they are bound by the rules and law to be on the side of LG in all the crucial matters of governance. It is in place to mention that the Union Home Ministry amended the laws before the elections, and provided more powers to Sinha and the Chief Minister of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir has very little powers to govern without the consent of LG.
Abdullah is increasingly coming under pressure, not only from its coalition partner Congress but also from his party leaders including MP of Srinagar, Aga Rohullah who recently wrote a letter to Abdullah, asking for implementation of all the poll promises, especially the promise to release prisoners.
Abdullah is waiting for the assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, given to him during his recent visit that the statehood would be restored.
Former RAW Chief A.S Daulat with Karan Thapar, on The Wire has said that if statehood is not restored soon, it would be very difficult for Abdullah to govern in Jammu and Kashmir as the confrontation with LG will only increase.