Jahangir Sofi
Srinagar, Nov 7: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday voiced strong concerns over the dual power centres in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that this governance mechanism is detrimental to both the region and the country.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing Legislative Assembly session, Karra, called for an “inclusive and holistic” approach to governance, saying there is a need for the full empowerment of elected representatives.
“Currently, we have two power centres operating here, and I don’t think that is favourable either to the country or to Jammu and Kashmir,” Karra remarked, referring to the ongoing tensions between the local administration and the Lieutenant Governor’s (LG) office.
The J&K Congress chief leader said that an elected government, chosen by the people, should be the legitimate authority in the region. “An elected government reflects the voice and will of the people, and it should be empowered to exercise its mandate fully and independently. The reality of this governance structure is yet to be accepted by the LG,” he stated.
Karra also criticised certain recent actions in the Legislative Assembly, particularly the behaviour of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members during a debate on Article 370. He condemned the BJP members for standing on tables, describing it as a serious breach of parliamentary decorum. “Such behaviour is unacceptable and undermines the sanctity of the legislative institution. It does not represent the values that any democratic society upholds,” he said.
The MLA Shalteng Central voiced his disapproval of the religious slogans raised in the Assembly, saying such actions are incompatible with the secular and constitutional ethos of the country. “Religious slogans in the Assembly contradict the very principles enshrined in our Constitution. We must respect the integrity of our democratic institutions and maintain their sanctity,” he said.
