IBNS-CMEDIA: A fierce political showdown erupted in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of misleading citizens over the restoration of statehood, media reports said.
The war of words quickly escalated when Abdullah hit back, holding Sinha responsible for the recent Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
Addressing a public event, the Lieutenant Governor said that the issue of statehood was being used as a political smokescreen.
“You can’t keep saying that work will begin only after statehood is restored. The government already has all the powers it needs. People must not be misled, use your authority to serve them,” Sinha said, in a direct swipe at Abdullah.
The remarks triggered a sharp response from the Chief Minister, who accused Sinha of deflecting attention from his own failures.
“He should focus on his work. Twenty-six tourists were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, that happened under his watch. He is responsible for security, not me,” Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister, who returned to office earlier this year after elections to the newly restored assembly, emphasized that his administration has limited authority in matters of law and order, which remain under the Lieutenant Governor’s control.
“If I were responsible for security, such a tragedy would not have occurred,” he asserted.
Abdullah also renewed his demand for the restoration of full statehood, accusing the Centre of delaying the process despite repeated assurances in Parliament and the Supreme Court.
“Why is the promise of statehood still unfulfilled? What are they afraid of?” he asked. “If the government claims it will be restored at the right time, then at least tell us what that ‘right time’ means and how it will be measured.”
The National Conference leader further accused the administration under the Lt Governor of failing to deliver on development during the six years of central rule.
“They talk about progress, but people on the ground see unemployment, delayed projects, and crumbling infrastructure,” he said.
The exchange underscores growing political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of crucial policy decisions on statehood restoration and administrative control, with both sides trading blame over governance, development, and security lapses.
