Double engine trouble

Omar Abdullah struggles to define his turf as Jammu and Kashmir awaits new business rules

- TARIQ BHAT

THE FIRST ELECTED government in a decade in Jammu and Kashmir took office on October 16. But the transition from a state to a Union territory is posing many hurdles before Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his cabinet in making key decisions. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who wields more power than Abdullah does, looms above the government. And there is a growing unease, as ministers and many legislators think they are unable to fulfil their election promises. Abdullah and his ministers are struggling to deal with senior bureaucrats, especially IAS and IPS officers who report to Sinha.

Ever since he assumed office, Abdullah has been engaging with the Central government. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi.

And Abdullah does not want the new system to affect the administration. In a meeting with senior officers after returning from Delhi, he warned them against exploiting the loopholes in the "hybrid system" of governance-a structure involving two power centres. "I received assurances at the highest level that the commitments made to Jammu and Kashmir regarding the governance model will change," he said. "Anyone believing that the Union territory status will protect them from the consequences of practices that go against this pledge should remember that this protection may only be temporary."