Srinagar, Aug 8: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Chief Farooq Abdullah has raised concerns about the delay in announcing elections in the union territory, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for other states in India.
Speaking to PTI on Thursday, Abdullah expressed skepticism about the central government’s intentions regarding elections in Jammu and Kashmir. “I don’t think that the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and all the Ministers will announce that the elections will take place. They wouldn’t say so, and that is why the election commission is coming,” he stated.
The veteran politician criticized the current governance model in the region, saying, “A state can’t be run by one Lieutenant Governor. Then he is the Viceroy of Delhi. Viceroyship died in 1947.”
Abdullah drew a parallel between the current situation and India’s colonial past, warning, “If they want to create new Viceroys, then good luck. Kashmir is the starting point; the whole of India may go the same way.”
In a stark message to other Indian states, he cautioned, “I warn the other states, be careful. Today we are on the chopping board; tomorrow, you all will be on the chopping board.”
The statement comes amidst ongoing debates about the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and the timeline for holding assembly elections in the region. The former state was reorganized into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh – in August 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370.
As the situation continues to evolve, Abdullah’s words have reignited discussions about federalism, state autonomy, and the future of democratic processes in Jammu and Kashmir and beyond.
