Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah candidly shared his thoughts on his first year leading the Union Territory, highlighting the complex challenges and ongoing governance issues. He described the experience as a “steep learning curve” due to the unique transition from President’s rule to an elected government, and then from a state to a Union Territory.
A major point of contention for Abdullah is the perceived lack of control over administrative appointments. He expressed his frustration, stating, “When you don’t get to decide who your officers are, it is not a pretty picture.” He drew a parallel to the Prime Minister’s inability to choose his own secretaries, emphasizing how this hampers effective governance. Abdullah pointed out that administrative secretaries are not of his choosing, and he lacks the authority to discipline underperforming officers. He also noted issues with the appointment and transfer of JKAS officers and even an officer in his own office being threatened with reassignment.
Abdullah also voiced concerns about the delay in the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, calling the current situation “vague” and lacking a clear timeline or yardstick for when this promise will be fulfilled. He alluded to the possibility that statehood might be linked to the political climate, suggesting it could be restored “when the BJP is in power here.” This sentiment has led to discussions within his party about potential recourse, including moving the Supreme Court, and even his own potential resignation if statehood isn’t granted within a reasonable timeframe.
Reflecting on the impact of the Pahalgam terror attack, Abdullah argued that it should not be used as a reason to hold back statehood. He emphasized that security review meetings are chaired by the Raj Bhawan, not the Chief Minister’s office, and that no elected government has been responsible for such attacks. He also critiqued the idea of linking statehood to Pakistan’s terror strategy, stating that statehood decisions should not be dictated from across the border.
On the topic of tourism revival, Abdullah acknowledged that it has been slow following the significant impact of the Pahalgam incident, but expressed hope with the gradual return of visitors. He also touched upon the implications of discontent in Ladakh for Jammu and Kashmir, noting that any disparity in fulfilled demands could fuel further agitation.
Regarding his engagement with the INDIA bloc, Abdullah stated his association is limited to Jammu and Kashmir, respecting the boundaries of their respective political spheres. He reiterated his stance against allying with the BJP for the sake of statehood, calling such a move a “historic blunder.”
Looking ahead to his second year in office, Abdullah’s priorities include stepping up development, managing resources effectively, and initiating significant infrastructure projects. He acknowledged the Prime Minister’s intent to bridge the “dil ki doori” (distance of the heart) and “Delhi ki doori” (distance from Delhi) as a work in progress, suggesting more could be done.