Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Senior National Conference leader and MLA Tanvir Sadiq today accused the Peoples Democratic Party of adopting “double standards” on political unity and alleged that bureaucratic interference was hampering the functioning of Jammu and Kashmir’s elected government.
Speaking at a Halla Bol event in Srinagar, Sadiq questioned PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s call for political unity and her proposal to raise Jammu and Kashmir-related and national issues at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Mehbooba had recently called for political parties in J&K to come together on common issues and engage collectively with the Centre.
Sadiq alleged a disconnect between Mufti’s statements and actions, particularly in the context of a controversial remark and her subsequent explanation.
“If you want to apologise, apologise. Do not apologise with excuses,” he said.
He further alleged that such explanations could provide ammunition to those who harass people from Jammu and Kashmir.
Questioning the PDP’s appeal for political unity, Sadiq asked what purpose such unity would serve if its stated objective was to reverse the developments of August 2019.
He alleged that Mufti herself had contributed to the political situation that followed and described the proposed Jantar Mantar programme as “a drama” intended to mislead people.
Turning to the functioning of the Omar Abdullah-led government, Sadiq alleged that bureaucrats were taking directions from outside the elected administration and deliberately creating obstacles to its functioning.
“We all know where the bureaucracy is getting its directions from,” he said, warning that excessive bureaucratic control over an elected government would set a “very bad precedent” not only in Jammu and Kashmir but across the country.
“Whatever the Omar Abdullah government is doing, deliberate obstacles are being created. This should not happen,” he said.
Sadiq said restoration of statehood was also intended to strengthen the authority of the elected government and enable it to function more effectively.
Referring to the statehood resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, he said the move was aimed at restoring the constitutional and administrative authority of the elected government, adding that the resolution had been opposed by the BJP.
He argued that Jammu and Kashmir’s geographical and security circumstances, including its borders with different countries, made it important to strengthen the elected administration rather than allow excessive bureaucratic control.
The issue of bureaucratic involvement in the Assembly’s statehood resolution has also emerged in recent political debate, following reports that senior officials had approached the Speaker over the resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Sadiq also criticised the questioning of a senior political leader at the event, describing the manner in which the elderly leader was addressed as undemocratic.
He warned the PDP against what he described as setting a precedent for political intimidation.
“If you want to set this precedent, let me tell you one thing: wherever your leaders go, we will send our people there and ensure that they face such harassment that they will never be able to come forward again,” he said.
Sadiq, however, appealed to the PDP not to push the National Conference towards an escalation in political confrontation, saying his party could respond in kind if provoked.
