‘Can officers act as government?’ Congress seeks discussion on CS, Law Secretary letters in J&K Assembly
Meanwhile, BJP legislators staged a walkout from the Assembly over the Statehood resolution, which called upon the Government of India to urgently and immediately restore Statehood
Two official letters from the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, and Law Secretary Achal Sethi, opposing the Statehood resolution tabled by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, sparked criticism in the J&K Assembly on Tuesday.
The letters, which labeled the resolution as a "sub judice" matter, were aimed at preventing the House from considering it. Congress legislator Nizamuddin Bhat urged for these letters to be added to the Assembly records and discussed in the House.
Bhat argued that these letters questioned the Assembly's prestige, dignity, and powers, and questioned whether officers could act as the government without consulting the elected government. He emphasized that the J&K Assembly, despite limited powers, holds the same authority as a State's legislature.
Bhat also criticized the bureaucracy for tying down legislators and ministers, who are ultimately responsible and accountable to the people. In contrast, BJP legislator Sunil Sharma termed the Statehood resolution unconstitutional and accused the Speaker of acting partisanship. The BJP demanded the removal of the Speaker and staged a walkout from the Assembly. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather dismissed the walkout, asserting his authority.
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