SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah blamed the “dual power structure” in the Union territory for the slow pace of development and warned that his party would move SC if statehood isn’t restored soon. It is the first time NC has openly threatened legal action on restoration of statehood for Jammu & Kashmir.Abdullah said Saturday that people’s expectations remain unmet due to the lack of full statehood despite formation of an elected govt in Oct 2024 – the first in J&K since 2018 and after region was carved into two UTs in 2019.“People hoped the new govt would address their demands, but the absence of statehood is a major obstacle,” he said after a meeting with party delegates at Kokernag in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. “How can we fulfil aspirations without statehood? Only with it can we have a full-fledged cabinet capable of addressing public issues effectively,” he added.Abdullah said his party had launched an outreach campaign to make people aware of “certain political forces ready to compromise their interests”. He added that after NC-led coalition’s eight months in office, he remains hopeful about the return of statehood. “We have been waiting patiently. But if the delay continues, we will have little option but to approach Supreme Court.”The “power struggle” between National Conference-led elected govt and lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha has grown increasingly public. This month, cabinet ministers accused Sinha of interfering in administrative decisions reserved for govt.Sinha had pushed back. “I have no authority over development departments. Governance is elected govt’s responsibility. I only control police & can deploy them where needed. Roads, water, electricity, agriculture – all are under elected govt,” he said.Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone backed the demand for statehood but criticised NC’s record in office. “UT status certainly limits development and is a humiliating existence. But whatever powers exist, NC govt has not utilised them. Instead, they’ve weaponised govt transfers and discriminated against constituencies they didn’t win,” Lone said.He also questioned the concentration of power in CMO. “CM has 32 depts. Is it humanly possible to run 32 departments?” Lone asked.
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