Congress slams Centre over move to expand LG’s powers in J&K, says statehood unlikely in near future

New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has hit out at the BJP-led government over its notification expanding powers of Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor by inserting new sections in the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, saying that the Centre’s move means that full-fledged statehood for J-K does not seem likely in the immediate future.

Jairam Ramesh said there has been a consensus across political parties that Jammu and Kashmir should again become a full-fledged state of the Indian Union.

“The Supreme Court had mandated that elections to the J&K Assembly should be held by Sept 30th, 2024. The self-anointed non-biological PM is on record saying that full-fledged statehood would be restored to J&K, which had been reduced to a Union Territory in August 2019,” he said in a post on X.

“Last night, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified the amended Rules under Section 55 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, inserting new Sections giving expanded powers to the LG. The only meaning that can be drawn from this notification is that full-fledged statehood for J&K does not seem likely in the immediate future. There has been a consensus across political parties that J&K must immediately become a full-fledged state of the Indian Union once again, and not remain as a UT,” he added.

The Home Ministry on Friday amended the rules of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 enhancing some powers of the Lieutenant Governor of the erstwhile state.

President Droupadi Murmu gave approval to the amendments.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also attacked the BJP-led government over the move.

He said the government’s move has shown that it will not trust the government which will come to power in Jammu and Kashmir when elections are held.

“You don’t trust the government which will take charge when the elections happen, you already passed a no-confidence motion against an elected government, which is yet to be elected. What kind of a no-confidence is this and who is Mr Narendra Modi to pass a no-confidence motion even before a government is formed, even before the elections are held,” Khera said at a press conference.