Congress Questions Statehood Delay in Jammu and Kashmir Amid New Elections

The Congress party criticized the Union government's recent actions, claiming they strengthened the Lieutenant Governor's powers in Jammu and Kashmir, undermining an elected state government. This comes as the Election Commission announced assembly elections for the region. The Congress continues to demand full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, which has been pending for five years.

The Congress on Friday alleged that recent moves by the Union government have only bolstered the powers of the Lieutenant Governor in Jammu and Kashmir, thus 'making a mockery of the powers of a duly elected state government.'

The criticism followed the Election Commission's announcement that assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will occur in three phases starting September 18, while Haryana will have a single-phase election on October 1.

'For the past five years, the Indian National Congress has consistently demanded that full statehood should be restored to J&K and that assembly elections should be conducted. J&K still awaits full statehood,' said Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh in a post on X.

Votes for both assemblies will be counted on October 4, according to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

The last assembly elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir in November-December 2014. These will be the first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Last month, the Centre granted the lieutenant governor more powers regarding police decisions, all-India services officers, and prosecution sanctions.

Decisions on the appointment of the advocate general, other law officers, and anti-corruption bureau matters will also fall under the lieutenant governor's purview. These powers were conferred by amending rules under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union Territories and annulled Article 370.

(With inputs from agencies.)