The National Conference (NC), led by Omar Abdullah, has issued a strong warning to the Centre amid escalating tensions over administrative control in Jammu and Kashmir.
During a two-hour legislative party meeting involving the NC and its allies, two key resolutions were passed - urging the Union government to honour the people's mandate and condemning the Waqf (Amendment) Bill passed by Parliament.
The conflict stems from the transfer of 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers under instructions from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, a move that the NC claims undermines the authority of the elected government. According to party leaders, the decision is seen as a disregard for the people's mandate and an overreach of the Lieutenant Governor’s authority.
“It can't be business as usual. We aimed for cordial relations with the Raj Bhavan and the Centre, but their actions show a blatant disregard for our mandate. This is unacceptable,” a National Conference leader stated.
Omar Abdullah, his father Farooq Abdullah, and party MLAs were present at the meeting, where the resolutions were unanimously passed. The NC’s message to the Centre was clear: their willingness to cooperate should not be mistaken for weakness.
“We believe the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is unjust towards Muslims, and we urge the government to respect the mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Our cooperation must not be seen as weakness. This is our last appeal - don’t push us to the wall,” a party leader remarked.
The timing of the conflict is notable, as it precedes Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review the security situation amid heightened militant activities.
The Omar Abdullah government, which came to power in October last year following a resounding victory in the Assembly election, has faced ongoing friction with the Raj Bhavan due to overlapping powers since then.
According to the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the Lieutenant Governor has the authority to transfer IAS officers and control law and order within the Union Territory. However, all other departments, including the transfer of JKAS officers, fall under the jurisdiction of the elected government.
Sources claim the Lieutenant Governor ordered the transfers of revenue officers because they also function as magistrates, which ties into his control over law and order. However, the elected government maintains that such decisions fall within its purview.
Adding to the discontent is the continued delay in restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was revoked in 2019. The Centre had reportedly assured Omar Abdullah that consultations on restoring statehood would begin soon after the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
However, the National Conference claims that no timeline has been provided for these discussions.