Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Srinagar: Amid the ongoing tussle between Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s Office over the transfer of 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers, the ruling National Conference (NC) on Friday warned New Delhi “one last time” to let the elected government function without “interference.”
Following an emergency meeting of the ruling alliance in Srinagar, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, NC’s chief spokesperson and Zadibal MLA, Tanvir Sadiq, addressed the media, cautioning the Modi government not to misinterpret their cooperation as weakness.
“Do not push us to the wall,” Sadiq warned, adding that this was the party’s last appeal, not as a request, but as a strong warning.
Sadiq, a trusted aide of the Chief Minister, highlighted that the meeting focused on several crucial issues, including the controversial Waqf Bill passed in Parliament.
He described the bill as being against Muslims and minorities and reiterated NC’s opposition to it. Additionally, the party emphasised the need for the Central government to respect the mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the NC-led administration, calling this demand non-negotiable. Both of these resolutions were passed unanimously during the meeting, Sadiq told reporters.
The meeting came in the wake of Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha’s controversial decision to transfer 48 JKAS officers, including 14 additional deputy commissioners and 26 sub-divisional magistrates, without consulting the elected government. These transfers were ordered earlier this week by the General Administration Department.
The meeting, held at Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary’s residence in Gupkar, was attended by NC president Farooq Abdullah, several cabinet ministers, NC MLAs, and three Congress legislators, led by chief whip Nizamuddin Bhat.
Sources said the Chief Minister has written to L-G asking him to review the unilateral decision, pointing out that the transfers and postings of officers outside the All India Services cadre were the exclusive prerogative of the elected government.
He has also reportedly raised the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing concerns that the LG’s actions, including the transfers, undermine the authority of his government.