Breaking News: National Conference Passes Two Resolutions in Jammu and Kashmir
The National Conference, led by Omar Abdullah, has passed two resolutions today. One resolution urges the Centre to respect the people’s mandate in Jammu and Kashmir, while the other condemns the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.
The resolutions were made after a two-hour legislative party meeting of the ruling National Conference and its allies. This comes amidst a conflict between the Omar Abdullah government and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s office. The National Conference wants to govern with “love and respect,” and they have made it clear that their silence should not be mistaken for weakness. They have also called on the BJP-led central government to avoid pushing them into a corner.
The root of this confrontation lies in the transfer of 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers on the Lieutenant Governor’s orders. The elected government believes that this order disrespects the people’s mandate and undermines the authority of the Omar Abdullah government.
It can’t be business as usual. We wanted cordial relations with the Raj Bhavan and the Centre, but they have chosen to disrespect the mandate. It’s unacceptable,” said a National Conference leader.
Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, and MLAs of the National Conference and its allies attended the meeting where the resolutions were passed. One resolution strongly opposes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, viewing it as detrimental to Muslims. The second resolution emphasizes the importance of respecting the mandate of Jammu and Kashmir’s people. The government has been urged to honor this mandate and not interpret their cooperation as weakness.
As tensions escalate, the conflict arises just days before Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Mr. Shah is scheduled to arrive on Sunday for a three-day visit to assess the security situation in light of increased terrorist activities in Jammu.
The Chief Minister has reportedly expressed his displeasure to the Home Minister over the Raj Bhavan’s transfer orders, asserting that such decisions fall under the elected government’s jurisdiction under the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.
Despite the Act granting the Lieutenant Governor authority over IAS officers and law and order, all other departments, including the transfer of JKAS officers, fall under the elected government’s purview.
The conflict between the government and Raj Bhavan has been ongoing since the National Conference came to power last year after a resounding victory in the Assembly elections. While Mr. Abdullah has emphasized the importance of amicable relations with the Centre, recent events have strained these ties.
Additionally, there is concern within the government over the delay in restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was revoked in 2019. The Centre had promised Mr. Abdullah that discussions on the restoration of statehood would commence after the Maharashtra Assembly polls, but no timeline has been provided.
