J&K’s political parties accuse Centre of undermining democracy

Srinagar, July 13: Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir Saturday strongly opposed the Centre’s recent decision to grant additional powers to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) for making decisions related to the Police and all-India service officers.

The decision is being criticised by all major regional parties including the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as the Congress and the Apni Party, all of which see it as a move to “disempower” the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

NC Vice President Omar Abdullah said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve more than a “powerless, rubber stamp” chief minister who would have to depend on the LG even for minor appointments.

He viewed the move as an indicator of impending elections in the region.

Abdullah emphasised the need for a firm commitment to restoring full statehood before any elections.

NC chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq described the decision as a blatant misuse of power by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to weaken the democratic voice of the people and undermine a future democratically elected government in J&K.

Sadiq also highlighted the unfulfilled promises of statehood restoration made by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Media Advisor, Iltija Mufti, said that the new order seeks to diminish the powers of an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir.

Iltija, who is the daughter of the PDP President and former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, said that the Centre was aware that a non-BJP government would likely be elected if assembly elections were held in J&K.

Iltija accused the Centre of attempting to retain control over Kashmir by reducing an elected government to a mere municipality.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Vikar Rasool Wani condemned the move as a “murder of democracy” in the region.

He said that the MHA's decision to vest more powers in the LG over Police, law and order, and officer transfers indicates a preemptive strike against the restoration of proper democracy and statehood.

The Centre’s decision comes with amendments to the rules under the Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which was enacted following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The LG will now have increased authority over the Police, and all-India services officers like the IAS and the IPS, and have the power to grant sanctions for prosecutions in various cases.

Decisions regarding the appointment of the Advocate General and other law officers as well as matters related to the anti-corruption bureau, will also fall under the LG's purview.

The Centre's move has been met with significant backlash from regional political parties, who view it as a step towards further centralisation of power at the expense of local governance and democratic processes in Jammu and Kashmir.