Congress Targets Centre Over Expanded Powers of J&K Lt Governor

Jairam Ramesh and Congress criticize BJP-led government for expanding powers of Jammu and Kashmir's Lt Governor through amendments in the J&K Reorganization Act, 2019. They argue this move hampers the restoration of full statehood to J&K, which has political consensus and Supreme Court backing.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh slammed the BJP-led government for expanding the powers of Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor by amending the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. He stated that this move signals that full-fledged statehood for J&K is unlikely in the near future, despite a political consensus advocating for it.

Ramesh referenced the Supreme Court's mandate that J&K Assembly elections should occur by September 30, 2024, and noted that the Prime Minister had previously assured the restoration of statehood to J&K, which was downgraded to a Union Territory in August 2019. The Ministry of Home Affairs' recent notification, which includes the insertion of new Sections under Section 55 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, effectively expands the Lieutenant Governor's powers, undermining these assurances, he asserted.

The Home Ministry's amendments enhancing the Lieutenant Governor's authority were approved by President Droupadi Murmu on Friday. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also criticized the government's move, accusing it of preemptively mistrusting the prospective government of J&K, which is yet to be elected. Khera questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rationale behind passing a 'no-confidence motion' against a government that hasn't even formed yet.