A for Abdullah

Despite constraints that limit its authority, the Omar Abdullah government has started off on a positive note

- TARIQ BHAT

It has been more than a month since Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took office, leading the first elected administration in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. His government has taken several noticeable steps since coming to power on October 16, including passing resolutions calling for the restoration of statehood and special status for Jammu and Kashmir.

Observers say Abdullah has been quick to recognise the constraints of governing a Union territory, where key powers remain under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The resolution calling for the restoration of statehood, which Sinha approved, was passed in the first cabinet meeting on October 18.

The resolution demanding the restoration of special status was passed during the assembly’s inaugural session from November 4 to 9. Though it did not directly mention Article 370, the resolution pushed for dialogue between the Centre and the Union territory’s elected representatives to restore constitutional guarantees.

The opposition BJP vehemently objected to the resolution, disrupting assembly proceedings and forcing Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to expel the party’s legislators. Sunil Sharma, leader of the opposition, said the resolution was “illegal”. “[It] was not part of the house’s scheduled business,” he said, adding that instead of discussing the lieutenant governor’s address, the government diverted attention by introducing the resolution. “The resolution is unconstitutional, as this assembly is not above Parliament or the Supreme Court,” he said.