The Congress party has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to respect the authority of the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir during his upcoming visit. They emphasized that any initiatives or actions taken in the Union Territory should be conducted in consultation with the local government.
“We implore him to recognize the strong mandate given to the current government, a testament to democratic principles,” stated Nizamuddin Bhat, Congress chief whip in the assembly. “We request that the state government be included in all decisions, even advisory ones.”
Bhat, MLA for Bandipora, clarified that while the central government and the Raj Bhavan have their legal rights, collaboration with the elected government is essential.
“They are entitled to exercise their legal powers,” Bhat said. “However, for any initiative, action, review, or information sharing, the state government must be involved. This is a constitutional necessity, a constitutional right, and a matter of ethical, moral, and political obligation.”
The Congress’s appeal comes amidst ongoing discussions about the division of powers between the elected government and the Raj Bhavan, and ahead of Shah’s scheduled three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
