Congress Criticizes Increased Powers for J&K Lieutenant Governor, Questions Statehood Future

The Congress criticized the Centre's decision to increase powers for the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, indicating that full-fledged statehood for J&K is unlikely soon. The Union Home Ministry amended rules to expand the LG's remit, with Congress leaders questioning the future of statehood and planned elections.

The Congress on Saturday criticized the Centre's decision to vest more powers in the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting that full-fledged statehood for the region is unlikely in the immediate future.

The expanded remit for the J&K LG covers decisions on police matters, all-India service officers such as the IAS and IPS, and sanctioning prosecutions in various cases. The Union Home Ministry issued this expansion through an amendment to the rules under the Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, responsible for bifurcating the erstwhile state and abrogating Article 370.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated on social media that the central government's actions imply delayed prospects for statehood, despite a political consensus that J&K should regain its full state status. He also noted that the Supreme Court mandated assembly elections by September 30, 2024, further complicating the region's political landscape.