Jammu and Kashmir govt has limited powers: NC's Chowdry Ramzan in maiden Rajya Sabha speech

New Delhi: Chowdry Mohammed Ramzan, the newly elected National Conference (NC) Rajya Sabha member, on Monday highlighted the limited powers of Jammu and Kashmir's elected government, saying that the authority primarily rests with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

Ramzan made the remarks in his maiden speech in Rajya Sabha after taking oath as member of the Upper House along with NC leader Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo and party treasurer Gurwinder Singh Oberoi alias 'Shammi'. Oberoi is the first Sikh community member from Kashmir who has been sent to the Rajya Sabha.

The three NC leaders along with BJP's Sat Sharma were elected to the Rajya Sabha last month. This was the first Rajya Sabha election in Jammu and Kashmir since its bifurcation in 2019, filling seats that had remained vacant since 2021.

During his speech, amid interruptions from some members, Ramzan said people had given two-thirds majority to the NC, paving the way for a popular government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Voicing strong dissatisfaction over the limited powers of the elected J&K government, he said, "I would like to say here with great sorrow that all the power is in the hands of LG (Lieutenant Governor). Orders flow from there..."

He was speaking on behalf of his party to felicitate Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on assuming the role of Rajya Sabha Chairman. Ramzan acknowledged that he did not know the chairperson well and said "the biggest thing that many speakers here have said is that you have been a social worker in your life. And no one comes to these big seats unless there is a lot of sacrifice and a history of public service behind it."

However, Ramzan quickly raised the issue of governance in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that while free and fair elections were held in the Union Territory in 2024, the elected government holds little executive authority on the affairs of the governance.

At this point, the Rajya Sabha chairman intervened urging Ramzan to adhere to the designated subject of the welcome address and that he would be given a different slot for raising concern related to Jammu and Kashmir.

Despite the intervention, Ramzan pressed his point, emphasising the strategic importance and historical context of Jammu and Kashmir. "...You know what has happened in Jammu and Kashmir in the last decades. We have to strengthen it," he said, arguing that the massive mandate given by the people for the first time to an elected government is meaningless if it is effectively powerless.

The maiden speech of Ramzan drew appreciation from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was in the visitors' gallery witnessing the oath ceremony with his advisor Nasir Wani. "First day first show. Well done...Ch Mohd Ramzan for using the first available opportunity to remind the union government of its promise about restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir," the CM said on X.

NC chief Farooq Abdullah also extended his wishes to the newly elected Rajya Sabha MPs and said "they will work for the best interests of people of Jammu and Kashmir".

Earlier, as the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha began, Ramzan took oath in Kashmiri, while Kichloo took it in Urdu and Oberoi did the same in Punjabi. Extending his wishes to Oberoi as he walked into the Rajya Sabha for the first time, Omar Abdullah said, "....You carry a lot of hopes and expectations on your shoulders."

The chief minister also congratulated Kichloo for beginning his new innings in his political career. "The people of J and K, especially of the Chenab Valley will look to him with a lot of hope and watch closely as he represents their aspirations."

Kichloo also thanked all the MLAs of Jammu and Kashmir through a post on X and said, "...this mandate is not a privilege but a profound responsibility —and I remain resolute in serving my people with integrity and unwavering commitment."