Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday reiterated that the constitutional framework leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the powers of the Lieutenant Governor, adding that the LG himself has publicly acknowledged that his responsibilities are confined to law and order.
“I’ve never claimed the LG has all powers,” CM Omar Abdullah told reporters. “The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act is clear — and even the LG has said his role is limited to security and law & order. That’s why we’re asking that the cabinet-approved business rules be signed and returned by him, so there’s no confusion or overlap.”
Abdullah stressed that beyond security matters, governance should lie with the elected leadership. “Let the representatives of the people do their job. The cabinet has cleared the business rules, and it’s time for them to be formally notified.”
Commenting on the newly launched train service that has seen overwhelming public demand, CM Abdullah said, “When I boarded it, I thought if the service wasn’t up to the mark, I’d just come back. But now, there’s a rush for tickets, and waiting lists have already started. That shows the service is a success.”
He urged authorities to take immediate steps to scale the operation.
“We want more coaches and increased frequency so more citizens can benefit from this positive step.”
On the escalating situation between Iran and Israel, CM Omar Abdullah said the administration is closely monitoring the developments and making arrangements for stranded Indian nationals.
“Some routes are blocked, and ports are shut, but we’re moving our citizens to safer cities before bringing them home. We hope to get everyone back safely soon,” he said.
Abdullah also noted, “This bombardment should not have started. When the U.S. intelligence chief was asked about Iran’s nuclear capacity, he said clearly that Iran is still far from building a bomb.”
When asked about the U.S. President hosting the Pakistan Army Chief amidst ongoing regional tensions, CM Abdullah responded:
“The U.S. President can host whomever he wants — we don’t dictate their guest list. But it’s no secret that America always acts in its own interest and rarely prioritizes the concerns of other nations.”
“Of course, we have historic ties with the U.S., and we hope they keep that friendship in mind. But we also understand realpolitik — they do what suits them first,” he concluded.
— (KNS)
