Congress seeks J&K Assembly debate on officials’ opposition to statehood resolution

Congress has sought a discussion in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on official letters opposing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resolution seeking restoration of statehood. Congress legislator Nizamuddin Bhat said the communiques from Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Law Secretary Achal Sethi should be placed on the Assembly’s record and debated. He argued that the letters challenged the authority and dignity of the House.

Mr. Abdullah had told the Assembly that the officials wrote to the Speaker asking that his resolution, introduced on September 25, not be taken up because it was “sub judice”. Mr.

Bhat questioned whether officers could act as the government without consulting the elected administration. He said the Union Territory’s government might have limited powers, but argued that this did not diminish the Assembly’s authority. National Conference legislator Tanvir Sadiq similarly criticised the letters, saying senior bureaucrats had sought to stop a resolution moved by the elected Chief Minister without the knowledge of the relevant minister.

He said the dispute concerned accountability to voters and strengthened the case for restoring statehood. BJP legislators opposed the resolution and staged a walkout. Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma called it unconstitutional and accused Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather of acting in a partisan manner.

The BJP members also demanded the Speaker’s removal. Mr. Rather rejected the criticism, saying he knew his authority and powers.

He also warned that disorder would not be accepted in the House.