Omar Abdullah Urges Centre to Respect Mandate Amid Governance Rift
Srinagar 04 April 2025, Amid a growing governance row, the National Conference, led by Omar Abdullah, has made a fervent appeal to the central government to honor the democratic mandate of Jammu and Kashmir’s people. The call comes in the wake of an ongoing power tussle between the elected government and the office of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
In an emergency legislative party meeting, spanning over two hours, key resolutions were passed condemning recent developments. The National Conference, supported by its allies, emphasized its commitment to governing with dignity and called on the Centre to avoid actions that might “push us to the wall.”
Key Developments: A Clash of Authority
The controversy stems from the recent transfer of 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers, initiated by the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Elected leaders, including Omar Abdullah, have expressed dissatisfaction, citing the move as an overreach that undermines the authority of the elected government. The transfers, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Union Territory’s administration according to the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, have sparked heated debate.
According to sources within the National Conference, these actions are seen as a disregard for the people’s mandate. An insider commented, “This isn’t just a governance issue; it’s about respecting democratic values. The silence we’ve maintained thus far should not be mistaken for weakness.”
Rising Tensions Ahead of High-Profile Visit
The political turmoil comes at a critical time, as Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir for a three-day review of the security situation amid rising terrorism concerns. This visit places added pressure on the Abdullah-led government to assert its position while navigating sensitive diplomatic dynamics with the Centre.
Omar Abdullah has reportedly penned a letter to the Home Minister, voicing concern over the recent transfer orders and highlighting the impact of such actions on the autonomy of state administration. The communication underscores the Chief Minister’s insistence on maintaining cordial relations, while drawing a line against perceived overreach.
Statehood in Limbo: A Lingering Grievance
Compounding the friction is the delay in the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood—a promise made during the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The elected leadership has expressed frustration over the Centre’s failure to provide a clear timeline for discussions regarding statehood restoration. The National Conference maintains that the prolonged uncertainty negatively impacts governance and the people’s confidence in democratic processes.
“The restoration of statehood isn’t just a political demand; it’s a necessity for restoring faith in democratic processes,” commented a senior National Conference member.
Striking a Balance: A Path Forward
Amid these challenges, the National Conference reiterated its commitment to dialogue and cooperation but stressed the importance of mutual respect. Omar Abdullah, in his closing remarks at the party meeting, said, “We are here to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We extend a hand of cooperation, but it must be met with respect, not coercion.”
Tensions Escalate Between State Leadership and Centre: A Call for Mutual Respect
The Omar Abdullah-led National Conference today passed two resolutions, one urging the Centre to respect the people’s mandate in Jammu and Kashmir and another condemning the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.
The resolutions followed a two-hour legislative party meeting of the ruling National Conference and its allies. They come amid a tussle between the Omar Abdullah government and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s office. The National Conference has said it wants to run the government with “love and respect” and its silence should not be construed as its “weakness”. It has also urged the BJP-led central government to “not push them to the wall”.
Behind the first major confrontation between the Union Territory’s government and Raj Bhavan is the transfer of 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers on the Lieutenant Governor’s instructions. According to sources, the elected government feels that the order disrespects the people’s mandate and tramples upon 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.
A National Conference leader told the media that Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah and MLAs of the National Conference and its allies attended the meeting. “We passed two key resolutions. One strongly rejects the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. We believe it is against the Muslims. The second resolution is that the mandate of Jammu and Kashmir’s people must be respected. We have requested the government to respect the mandate. Our coordination must not be seen as our weakness. This is the last time we want to appeal, don’t push us to the wall,” he said.
The conflict has erupted days ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Shah is scheduled to reach Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday for a three-day visit to review the security situation amid a spike in terrorist activities in Jammu.
The Chief Minister has reportedly written to the Home Minister, expressing his resentment over the Raj Bhavan’s transfer orders and pointing out that this falls within the domain of the elected government under the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.
The Act authorises the Lieutenant Governor to transfer IAS officers and control law and order in the Union Territory. All other departments, including the transfer of JKAS officers, fall under the elected government’s jurisdiction.
According to sources, because he is in charge of law and order, the Lieutenant Governor issued the order transferring Revenue officers because they also perform the duties of magistrates.
The Omar Abdullah government came to power in October last year after a thumping victory in the Assembly election. The government and the Raj Bhavan have been locked in a tussle since then due to overlapping powers. Mr Abdullah has stressed that he wants cordial ties with the Centre, but the recent developments have irked him.
There is also unease in the elected government over the delay in the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which it lost when its special status was revoked in 2019. The Centre had reportedly assured Mr Abdullah that the consultation on the restoration of statehood would start soon after the Assembly polls in Maharashtra. But according to the National Conference, the Centre has refused to give any timeline for these talks.
