Omar Abdullah criticizes dual governance in Jammu and Kashmir, urges for statehood restoration

Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed strong concerns about the dual governance structure in the Union Territory, where he shares power with the Lieutenant Governor.

Abdullah called this arrangement a "recipe for disaster" and urged the central government to honor its commitment to restore statehood to the region.

Abdullah, who assumed office in October, expressed cautious optimism about the Centre’s promise to restore Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, citing repeated assurances made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during their election campaigns. He emphasized the need for a unified leadership model, drawing comparisons to corporate governance.

He pointed out that no successful organization operates with multiple power centres, likening the situation in Jammu and Kashmir to a sports team that functions best under a single captain. Abdullah also referenced the ongoing struggles in Delhi, where governance is shared between the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor, as an example of why such a dual power system fails.

The Chief Minister further stressed that Jammu and Kashmir’s complex geopolitical position, bordering both China and Pakistan, requires a more cohesive command structure. He also pointed out that, since its reorganization into a Union Territory in August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has not seen any tangible benefits from the arrangement in terms of governance or development.

Abdullah acknowledged the role of the Supreme Court in pushing for assembly elections, but expressed disappointment that the Court was vague about restoring statehood. He reiterated the public’s expectation of statehood restoration based on the promises made during the election campaigns, stating that the government must honor these commitments without further delay.

He also hinted at having a backup plan in case the situation does not improve. He believes that the final decision regarding statehood lies with Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah. The Chief Minister concluded by highlighting ongoing efforts to streamline the administrative setup in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure clarity in governance, especially regarding business rules and administrative boundaries.