National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah has voiced significant concerns regarding the possibility of the Centre nominating five BJP MLAs to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Abdullah cautioned the Union government and Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha against this move, warning that it could exacerbate political tensions.
According to the regulations governing Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor has the power to appoint five members to the Legislative Assembly, which is currently comprised of 90 elected representatives. Should these nominees be from the BJP, as anticipated, the assembly’s total membership would rise to 95, thereby shifting the majority threshold from 46 to 48.
“I would advise against nominating BJP members. Such nominations won’t alter the government, so what purpose would they serve? You would merely be adding five people to the Opposition,” Abdullah stated.
Despite the BJP winning 29 seats in the assembly elections, this increase in the majority requirement would only narrow the lead of the NC-Congress alliance to just one seat above the necessary threshold.
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Abdullah expressed confidence in the NC-Congress coalition’s position, stating, “Independent candidates are in talks with us, and they will join our alliance, which will further extend our lead.”
He also indicated that proceeding with the nominations could lead to legal challenges, suggesting that the NC would seek intervention from the Supreme Court. “This would create a conflict, as we would have to appeal against it. Such actions could jeopardize J&K’s relationship with the Centre at a time when collaboration is essential,” he warned, emphasizing that tensions could arise from day one of such nominations.
The NC-Congress alliance recently emerged victorious in the first elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, securing 49 out of 90 seats. Abdullah himself won comfortably in both constituencies he contested—Budgam and Ganderbal. The alliance consists of 42 seats for the NC and six for the Congress, comfortably surpassing the majority mark. The BJP, while improving its position from 25 seats in 2014 to 29, remains unable to form a government.
In contrast, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) claimed one seat, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) saw a significant decline, winning only three seats compared to its previous 28. Prominent CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami criticized the Centre’s policies, asserting, “The vote of the people is against the BJP government and its policies.”
Abdullah asserted the NC’s resurgence despite attempts to undermine it over the past five years, claiming, “Numerous parties were created to dismantle us, but they have been decimated.”
As the newly elected government navigates the complexities of governance in a politically sensitive region, Abdullah made it clear that any unilateral nominations from the Centre would be perceived as an imposition. He advocated for collaborative dialogue, stating, “Let the government be formed, let them provide suggestions, and based on that, the LG should make nominations.”
The NC vice president further emphasized the necessity of fostering positive relations with the Centre, highlighting that J&K cannot afford contentious ties with Delhi. “We aim to build a relationship with the Centre,” he concluded.
