J&K Lawmakers Demand Respect for People’s Mandate Amid Transfer Row, Warn Against Undermining Elected Government
SRINAGAR, Apr 4: The ruling coalition in Jammu and Kashmir has strongly condemned recent administrative decisions by the Raj Bhavan, asserting that the people’s mandate must be respected and warning that their silence should not be mistaken for weakness. The controversy erupted after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha issued transfer and posting orders for 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers, a move that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his government have challenged as unconstitutional.
Following an emergency legislative party meeting on Friday, National Conference (NC) chief spokesperson and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, made a forceful appeal for cooperation but cautioned against pushing the elected government into a corner. “We have said this repeatedly, and this is our final request—do not push us to the wall,” he said. He emphasized that the NC-led government’s coordination with both New Delhi and the LG administration was solely aimed at addressing public issues, and should not be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness.
The legislature party meeting, chaired by Omar Abdullah and attended by NC president Farooq Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, cabinet ministers, NC MLAs, four Congress legislators led by chief whip Nizamuddin Bhat, and Independents supporting the government, passed two key resolutions. The first condemned the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, calling it “anti-minority,” while the second reaffirmed the coalition’s demand for the elected government’s authority to be upheld.
Tensions between the elected government and the Raj Bhavan have been escalating over administrative control. Omar Abdullah has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, LG Sinha, and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, calling the recent transfer orders “unlawful” and a direct attempt to undermine the authority of the elected administration. According to sources, Abdullah has firmly stated that the transfer of JKAS officers to cadre posts falls within the exclusive domain of the elected government, not the LG’s office.
Abdullah has also pressed for the immediate finalization of the Transaction of Business Rules, which were approved by the cabinet on March 6 but have yet to be implemented. The delay, he argues, is fueling administrative conflicts and limiting the government’s ability to function effectively. In his letter to Shah, he stressed that a series of unilateral decisions by the LG’s office, including these transfers, have eroded the authority of the elected government.
The issue holds wider political implications, especially with Union Home Minister Amit Shah scheduled for a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. The Abdullah government considers the LG’s move a direct violation of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, asserting that the elected administration must have the final say in governance matters.
Speaking at the meeting, NC MLA from Sonawari, Hilal Akbar Lone, accused the Raj Bhavan of systematically weakening the elected government. “The LG’s office is undermining our authority. This meeting will focus on steps to ensure that such interference does not recur,” he said.
Congress leader Nizamuddin Bhat reinforced the alliance’s unity, asserting that all MLAs stand firmly behind Omar Abdullah. “The meeting focused on the prevailing political situation, constitutional concerns, and immediate administrative challenges. There was complete unanimity that these issues should be resolved through direct engagement with New Delhi and the LG’s office,” Bhat said.
Despite the ongoing confrontation, the ruling coalition reiterated its willingness to maintain a working relationship with both the Centre and the LG’s administration. However, they made it clear that any attempt to bypass the elected government’s authority would not be tolerated.
With political tensions running high, the Abdullah government is determined to push back against what it sees as an attempt to dilute the power of the democratic mandate in Jammu and Kashmir. The coming days will likely see further developments as the political storm over administrative control continues to unfold.
