Home Ministry Denies Claims Of Power Curtailment For New Government In Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024

In a firm response to concerns raised by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Union Home Ministry has categorically rejected any suggestions of attempts to curtail the powers of the newly elected chief minister or government in the Union Territory.

The statement, issued on Friday, emphasized that there is "not even an iota of truth" in such claims.

Home Ministry Refutes Claims Of Power Curtailment For J&K

This reaction comes after Abdullah urged bureaucrats in Jammu and Kashmir to resist any pressures aimed at "further disempowering" the incoming elected government. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed concerns that the BJP had accepted defeat in the region, citing the assignment of the chief secretary to modify the transaction of business rules, which could potentially limit the chief minister's authority in favor of the Lieutenant Governor (L-G).

In response, the Home Minister's Office stated that Abdullah's comments were "misleading and speculative." They clarified that the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, passed by the Indian Parliament, already provides a framework for notifying the transaction of business rules, which was established in 2020.

The Home Ministry's statement highlighted the widespread support from the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the Government of India's efforts to restore a democratically elected government through a fair election process. It noted that citizens participated enthusiastically, as evidenced by a voter turnout of 63.88% in the three-phase polling that concluded on October 1.

As the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir evolves, the election results are set to be announced on October 8, 2024. The region has undergone significant changes since it was bifurcated into two Union Territories-Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh-under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019.