Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and vice president of the National Conference, has criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for its indecision on the Assembly election in J&K.
This has led to the Supreme Court issuing directions. After returning from an overseas trip, Abdullah insisted that the ECI owes an apology to the people for neglecting its duties. The political climate in J&K has been under intense scrutiny since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The lack of elections has reignited debates about representation in the state assemblies and panchayats in the region.
Criticism by Abdullah
Omar Abdullah’s criticism of the Election Commission of India for not conducting elections in Jammu and Kashmir stems from his assertion that the delay in restoring full statehood and holding elections is detrimental to the democratic rights of the people.“We are saying that India is the mother of democracy. But don’t know why we prefer to murder this mother of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. If India is the mother of democracy, why is it not in Jammu and Kashmir?” Omar said while talking to reporters here after returning from long holiday.
He has emphasized the need for elected representatives to actively participate in governance and decision-making processes actively, highlighting the importance of democratic institutions in shaping the future of J&K. Abdullah’s statements reflect broader concerns about the democratic deficit in the region and the impact on governance and representation.
Omar Abdullah, the leader of the National Conference, expressed his concerns over the recent power purchase agreement signed between the Ratle Hydro Electric Power Corporation Limited in J&K and Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT services Limited. He described this as a misuse of resources, especially at a time when the people of J&K are not receiving continuous electricity supply.
Abdullah emphasized that the situation would be reassessed after the assembly elections, questioning how they plan to supply electricity to Rajasthan. He stated that even if it requires going to the Supreme Court, he would ensure that the electricity does not go to Rajasthan. He criticized the strict measures imposed and the inability to use electricity from their own power house. He also questioned the rationale behind signing such agreements for a long duration of 40 years.
Abdullah on State Assemblies
The reorganization of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh – the erstwhile state assembly was dissolved. In its place, the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is now governed by the Lieutenant Governor, who acts as the chief executive. The absence of a legislative assembly has raised concerns about the lack of elected representatives to voice the concerns and aspirations of the people of J&K at a local level. The delay in conducting elections has been a point of contention, with political leaders like Omar Abdullah expressing frustration over the prolonged absence of democratic processes in the region.
Panchayats in J&K towards an end too
Jammu and Kashmir’s panchayati raj institutions, despite being operational, face challenges such as security threats and limited powers due to central government control. The effectiveness of these grassroots democratic bodies in addressing local issues is under scrutiny, especially without a fully operational state assembly.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed dissatisfaction over the timing of the delimitation exercise for urban local bodies. He questions why the process was initiated only at the end of the elected bodies’ term. With the term of 28,000 representatives from 4,291 panchayats ending, the future of local elections is uncertain due to the ECI’s planned delimitation exercise.
Abdullah emphasizes that the government could have started the election process earlier. He expresses disappointment over the dissolution of democratic bodies and stresses the importance of timely elections. He also raises concerns about the government’s seeming obligation to hold a parliamentary poll in J&K, rather than it being a democratic process.
Abdullah’s Take on Recent Matters
Regarding the inauguration of the Ram Temple, Omar Abdullah maintained a neutral stance, stating, “This isn’t the first or the last inauguration. The temple is here, and it’s being inaugurated. That’s all there is to it.” He chose not to engage in any controversy surrounding the event.
In response to a question about the recent diplomatic row between India and the Maldives, Abdullah expressed his disapproval of the derogatory social media posts made by some Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He acknowledged the Maldives’ right to maintain a good relationship with China but emphasized that it was unnecessary to insult the Indian Prime Minister or tourists from India. He appreciated the Maldivian government’s decision to suspend those ministers and apologize to the Prime Minister and the people of India.
Abdullah also recalled the words of former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, who said that while India can change its friends, it cannot change its neighbours. He stressed the importance of maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries and expressed his hope for continued positive relations.
J&K’s Governance Quandary
The situation of representatives in Jammu and Kashmir is complex, with implications for state assemblies and panchayats. The absence of a fully functional legislative assembly has raised questions about democratic representation at higher levels of governance. At the same time, the functioning of panchayats has faced its own set of challenges. The ongoing debate surrounding the need for elections and restoration of full statehood underscores the significance of democratic processes in shaping the future trajectory of J&K. As the region continues to navigate through this period of transition, the role of elected representatives at all levels remains a crucial aspect of democratic governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
