The current appointment of the Lieutenant Governor in Jammu and Kashmir, as represented by @OfficeOfLGJandK, is in accordance with the Indian Constitution, which grants the central government the authority to designate a Lieutenant Governor for the Union Territory.
Conversely, the appointment of Sheikh Abdullah as Chief Minister by Delhi, a role typically elected rather than appointed, is deemed to be illegal.
The legality of this appointment is a contentious issue, with my assertion being that it was unlawful because it did not adequately represent the will of the Kashmiri people.
It’s noteworthy that the party whose leader was appointed without elections now claims to be in opposition, which presents a paradox within the democratic framework.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that there have been allegations of various illegalities committed by Delhi in the past to ensure the survival of the #JKNC. These allegations include the misuse of government machinery, from Raj Bhawan to Delhi’s administrative apparatus, at different points in time.
The fact that the JKNC now positions itself as the opposition is driven by the belief that elections under current circumstances will be conducted fairly and without undue influence, which contrasts with their experiences in the past. This perception has influenced their political stance today.
In the eyes of many Kashmiris, whether it’s the appointment of a Chief Minister or a Governor, both are seen as part of a larger issue. The overarching desire is for free and fair elections that would allow the will of the people to prevail. In this scenario, the aspiration of general public is to replace JKNC through democratic means, enabling the voice of the people to be accurately represented in the governance of the region.