Srinagar: The ruling National Conference (NC) on Saturday termed as “unfortunate” the visit of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to the upcoming AIIMS at Awantipora in Pulwama district, saying it set a wrong precedent.
“It is unfortunate that a former CM has given an opportunity to unelected people to take their MLAs to chair a meeting. This sets a very wrong precedent,” NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq told reporters here.
Sadiq said NC president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, when they were not in power, never took a review meeting like the PDP president.
“They (the PDP) have given a way to the RSS and other people to take a review meeting of any institution by just taking their MLAs,” Sadiq said. There is a “larger picture” behind this, he said.
“When the NC passed the autonomy resolution in 1999, a new party emerged which was named as the PDP. Today, when we 50 MLAs decided to go to Delhi to appeal for the restoration of statehood and our rights, suddenly, unelected people go and take a review of a centrally-funded institution.
“So, it clearly tells you about the connection, and wherefrom they got the dictation,” he said.
“This precedent is unfortunate and is very wrong for a democratic setup,” Sadiq said.
The party spokesperson said Omar Abdullah recently reviewed the progress of the institute and ensured that the stopped work was resumed.
“Some people seem to be suffering from political amnesia. They still behave as if they are in power, even though they lost office in 2018 and have since been repeatedly rejected by the people,” NC leader and Health Minister Sakina Itoo said on X.
She said the current elected government is led by Omar Abdullah, “yet, one wonders in what capacity former rulers are conducting reviews of the AIIMS Awantipora project”.
“More importantly, who is signalling them to undertake such exercises? Which power centre in Delhi is directing these actions?” Itoo asked.
The minister said it is “ironic that those because of whom the AIIMS project moved at a painfully slow pace are now trying to claim ownership of its progress”.
“The fact is that the project is moving towards completion because of the focused efforts, monitoring and commitment of the present government under the leadership of CM Omar Abdullah. The people of Jammu & Kashmir are wise enough to distinguish between those who delayed development and those who are ensuring its delivery,” Itoo added.
NC’s social media in-charge Ifra Jan also questioned Mufti and said the visit would not have been possible without the Centre’s approval.
“In what capacity? Unless the BJP organised this briefing for its ally, since AIIMS is a Central government project, it would not have been possible without the Centre’s approval,” Jan said on X.
Meanwhile, People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone termed Mufti’s visit as an “unconstitutional trespass”, and demanded she admit her visit was “an error of judgement.”
Lone warned that Mufti’s act, carried out without her holding any elected office, set a “dangerous precedent that could open the floodgates for other non-elected individuals to assume similar institutional authority in J&K.”
“What stops an RSS or BJP non-MLA functionary from doing the same, especially when they can point to 28 MLAs against the PDP’s four?” he asked.
“What stops Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahib, (Ghulam Nabi) Azad Sahib, or (BJP leader) Nirmal Singh Sahib from chairing similar meetings? The list can go on and on,” Lone said.
He said Mehbooba Mufti effectively opened the door for all sorts of “politically undesirable species” with her move.
Lone also criticised the chief minister, saying he was “partly responsible for the situation”.
“Had the CM not set his ministers against the opposition MLAs and eroded their authority, this event of constitutional impropriety may not have taken place,” the PC chief said.
“I can’t believe that the chief minister has not reacted to an event which erodes even further an already eroded power structure in J&K. This is a direct hit at the constitutional competencies of the elected government. And these constitutional competencies are the constitutional assets of the people of J&K,” Lone said.
“They are now with the chief minister for a period of five years. He has no right to allow them to be trampled upon or allow to set a precedent for an unconstitutional trespass,” he added.
Lone also asked in what capacity did Mehbooba Mufti chair a review meeting of an institution which comes under the domain of the BJP-led Central government.
“Did the authorisation come from Delhi? Constitutionally, she can’t head a review meeting of the local departments which function under the elected government. Chairing review meetings of Central institutions is a constitutional impossibility,” he said.
“Was there a fresh notification? A government order? A special authorisation from the BJP? Or are we now operating under a new constitutional arrangement where a selected few can bypass constitutional protocol.
“Are we shifting from a dual power centre to a Troika,” he asked.
Lone also asked if the PDP president was the “new shadow chief minister”.
“Can Mamta Banerjee or Stalin, both ex-chief ministers, chair review meetings? What is the special arrangement in J&K? Under what law did she chair a meeting of AIIMS?
“Is there a third power centre in the offing in J&K? Clarity is needed. Review is good. But J&K, reeling under institutional disempowerment, cannot afford yet another round of disempowerment. It is Mehbooba Ji today. It could be somebody else tomorrow,” Lone said.
He also equated Mufti’s visit with disempowering the people.
“Mark my words. This was not just a review meeting. This was yet another round of disempowerment in the offing. There is much more than meets the eye. Be prepared for a lot of theatre. And by the way, observe the style. Security guards in attendance. Wow,” Lone added.
Lone also pre-empted the argument that Union Health Minister JP Nadda’s involvement or approval lent legitimacy to Mehbooba Mufti’s chairing of the meeting.
“Nadda Sahib is the honourable Health Minister of India. But he does not have the power to redesign constitutional roles,” Lone said.
Pertinently, PDP chief on Friday visited the upcoming AIIMS site at Awantipora in Pulwama district to what she claimed “understand” its progress, which has triggered the controversy with the ruling NC and questioning her capacity to conduct the “review”.
“Party President and former Chief Minister @MehboobaMufti along with MLA Tral @Rafiqahmadnaik and MLA Pulwama @parawahid today visited AIIMS Awantipora to understand the progress being made on the project and engage with the concerned agencies on the ground,” the PDP said in a post on X.
The party said Mufti reiterated her commitment to supporting every effort aimed at the early completion of this important healthcare institution.
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Mufti expressed satisfaction that work on the AIIMS is progressing well, and assured the authorities that she will provide all support she can in expediting the project, including her intervention with Union Health Minister J P Nadda.
“I am delighted to visit the site where the AIIMS is being constructed. This was a dream of my father (late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed). Although there were some delays due to various reasons, the work is now progressing well,” she told reporters after the visit.
“This institute will serve as a model for the entire region. The location itself is beautiful, and I feel that patients will experience a sense of well-being in this environment,” she added.
The former J&K chief minister also requested the AIIMS authorities that locals of Awantipora and adjoining areas be given a priority in the recruitment for non-professional or non-technical posts.
Mehbooba Mufti on X:
“Spoke with Union Health Minister JP Nadda ji & requested him to expedite the ongoing work at AIIMS Awantipora so that it doesn’t get delayed any further. He was kind enough to assure me about its completion well on time.
“Undoubtedly the team assigned here is toiling day & night but given how healthcare is crumbling across J&K it’s imperative AIIMS Awantipora is operational soon. Will provide much needed relief & quality medical services.”
