Srinagar: Former Indian Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha has emphasized that restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is unavoidable.
In an exclusive chat with the news agency Kashmir News Trust, Yashwant Sinha unequivocally stated that restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is not only essential but also inevitable. Sinha’s remarks come amidst the ongoing debate surrounding the J&K’s political status.
“The revocation of statehood was a mistake, and it should never have happened. The sooner it’s restored, the better,” Sinha emphasized. He highlighted the inherent conflicts between the popularly elected government and the Lieutenant Governor, who, instead of collaborating, often acts as an opposition leader.
He said there is always a conflicting situation between the popularly elected government and the Lieutenant Governor where LG instead of cooperating with the elected government, acts like a leader of the opposition.
Sinha attributed the inevitability of statehood restoration to the successful conduct of assembly elections and the clear mandate given by the people to the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference. “The Government of India has no option but to respect the people’s verdict and restore statehood,” he asserted.
The veteran politician who also served as the Minister of External Affairs underscored the responsibility of opposition parties in India to pressure the Modi-led NDA government into reinstating statehood in Jammu and Kashmir. “Opposition parties must ensure the central government honors the democratic principles and popular mandate,” Sinha added.
When questioned about the challenges facing the Omar Abdullah-led government without statehood, Sinha acknowledged the difficulties. “It becomes extremely challenging for an elected government to function smoothly without statehood. The central government must restore statehood to enable the elected Chief Minister to work freely in the interest of the people.”
Notably, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hinted yesterday that Jammu and Kashmir may soon regain statehood and urged officials to refrain from exploiting governance loopholes. If sources are be believed, many officials still perceive the Omar Abdullah-led government as lacking authority, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha being viewed as the real seat of power. In their eyes, Sinha remains the key decision-maker, overshadowing the Omar Abdullah government’s influence.
