Srinagar: Peoples Conference president and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, on Friday criticized the PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti chairing a review meeting at AIIMS, terming the development a “constitutional crisis” and questioning the authority under which such a meeting was conducted.
In a strongly-worded statement, Lone, said the episode represented yet another instance of institutional disempowerment in Jammu and Kashmir and accused the present administration of remaining silent despite what he described as a direct challenge to the constitutional competencies of the elected government.
“Irony died a thousand deaths today in Kashmiri politics,” Lone remarked, expressing surprise that a former chief minister had presided over a review meeting of an institution functioning under the Union government.
He argued that constitutional powers vested in the elected government are, in essence, assets belonging to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and cannot be allowed to be diluted or bypassed.
Questioning the legal and administrative basis of the meeting, Lone asked under what authority Mehbooba Mufti chaired the review. He sought clarity on whether there had been any special notification, government order, or authorization from New Delhi permitting such an arrangement.
“Constitutionally, a former chief minister cannot chair review meetings of departments functioning under the elected government, let alone institutions that fall under the Central government. Chairing a review meeting of a Central government institution is a constitutional impossibility,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with other states, Lone questioned whether former chief ministers such as Mamata Banerjee or M. K. Stalin would be permitted to conduct similar review meetings, and asked whether a “special arrangement” was now in operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
He further wondered whether the region was witnessing the emergence of a “third power centre”, suggesting that such developments could signal a new phase of political and administrative interference.
Lone cautioned that while reviewing public institutions is important, Jammu and Kashmir, already grappling with diminished institutional powers, cannot afford another round of disempowerment.
“This is not just a review meeting. There is much more than meets the eye. Today it is Mehbooba Ji, tomorrow it could be someone else. Be prepared for a lot of theatre,” he said.
Lone also took note of the optics surrounding the meeting, referring to the presence of security personnel and describing the entire episode as reflective of a deeper constitutional and political concern that requires immediate clarification from the authorities. (With additional inputs from KNO)
