Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the dual power structure is unacceptable.
“This dual power system benefits no one. It exists nowhere else in India,” he said in Jammu. “Jammu and Kashmir has the right to full statehood as the people here have elected their government, which should be allowed to function independently.”
He said that the restoration of statehood is a longstanding promise made to the people of J&K. “It has been assured publicly, in Parliament, and even in the Supreme Court,” he said. “Statehood will create a single power centre in J&K, which is essential for the welfare of the people.”
Regarding attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, Abdullah said that relations between India and Bangladesh are currently strained.
“Our foreign secretary is in Bangladesh holding meetings to address the situation,” he said. Quoting late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Abdullah said, “One can change friends but not neighbours.”
He said we must maintain good relations with our neighbours, not just as a choice but as a necessity. He highlighted the importance of diplomatic efforts to improve ties with Bangladesh, stressing that peaceful relations with neighbours are in India’s best interest.
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Observers believe that relations between Chief Minister Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha have started to show signs of strain, as Abdullah and his cabinet feel constrained in their ability to function freely.
Abdullah recently advised MLAs to stay calm until statehood is restored and to avoid confrontation with the Sinha-led administration. He was responding to complaints by legislators that bureaucrats were not cooperating with them, making it difficult to address issues in their constituencies.
Since being sworn in on October 16, Abdullah and his cabinet have experienced restrictions in functioning as Sinha continues to control all the key levers of power, including IAS and IPS officers.