Srinagar, Oct 07: Former MLA Bandipora Usman Majid on Monday urged all political leaders expected to be elected in Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday to unite in their efforts to restore statehood before proceeding with government formation.
In a statement, Majid said that restoring statehood is crucial for empowering elected representatives and safeguarding the democratic process in the region. He expressed concern over the current governance structure, saying that significant powers rest with the Lieutenant Governor and the bureaucracy, which has led to a sense of disempowerment among the people, as elected officials struggle to address their grievances.
“We must unite for the restoration of statehood, as the people expect their issues to be addressed. In the current Union Territory setup, elected members have very little authority, and most powers are concentrated in the hands of the Lieutenant Governor and the bureaucracy,” he said.
Usman warned that the inability of elected MLAs to resolve issues could lead to widespread frustration. “When MLAs cannot address the concerns of the people, it erodes faith in the democratic and electoral processes in Jammu and Kashmir,” he cautioned.
Majid compared the current situation to the 1987 political crisis, which led to significant alienation among the population and contributed to unrest. “Without real authority for elected representatives, we risk repeating the mistakes of 1987, where people felt disenfranchised and distanced from the democratic setup. The disempowerment of MLAs will undermine faith in democratic institutions, with negative consequences for the stability of Jammu and Kashmir,” he warned.
The former minister said the people of Jammu & Kashmir have demonstrated their faith in democracy despite past challenges, including electoral rigging. “They now expect their issues to be addressed. If they feel disempowered and disenfranchised again, it will be a grave betrayal of their trust,” he stressed.
Majid reiterated that restoring statehood is essential for empowering elected representatives to effectively address the people’s concerns. “Without statehood, any government formation would be meaningless, and the public’s faith in democracy would further erode,” he cautioned.
He called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate steps to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, citing significant public participation and the democratic mandate. “The people have made their voices heard, and it is now the responsibility of the Government of India to address their concerns and resolve the trust deficit,” he added.
