Srinagar, April 4: Amid rising tensions between the LG administration and the elected government, the National Conference and its allies convened a crucial meeting in Srinagar to send a pointed message to New Delhi and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha: do not mistake cooperation for weakness, and do not undermine the authority of a democratically elected government.
The high-stakes gathering, held in the Kashmir capital, brought together key legislators of the ruling alliance, reflecting a growing sense of frustration over what many perceive as repeated interventions by the bureaucracy in political matters. While party patriarch Dr. Farooq Abdullah and NC vice-president Omar Abdullah refrained from disclosing the details of the meeting, the party’s senior legislator from Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, emerged as the primary spokesperson for the alliance.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Sadiq said, “Our coordination with the Lieutenant Governor and New Delhi should not be misread. We are trying to maintain dignity in governance, but that should not be taken as a sign of political weakness or submission.” He underscored the alliance’s concern over increasing bureaucratic interference, particularly in the recent row over the abrupt transfers and postings of KAS officers—an issue that has ignited widespread discontent among legislators.
“We are not here to merely endorse files; we were elected by the people to govern,” Sadiq said, alluding to the historical stature once held by the state’s leadership.
He said the alliance passed two significant resolutions during the meeting. The first condemned the passage of the controversial Waqf Bill, describing it as anti-Muslim and an affront to the religious and cultural institutions of the region. The second resolution demanded that the Centre respect the democratic mandate of Jammu and Kashmir’s people, emphasizing that the authority of an elected government must not be sidelined.
Joining the chorus, Congress legislator Nizamuddin Bhat reiterated the demand for political respect and institutional integrity. “The sanctity of the legislature must be preserved. New Delhi cannot run the region through bureaucratic diktats while ignoring the voices elected by the people,” Bhat asserted.
The meeting comes at a time when political friction between Raj Bhavan and the elected alliance is growing, with recent administrative decisions being seen as deliberate attempts to disempower the ruling parties. [KNT]
