Srinagar: Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Thursday voiced serious concerns over what he termed as repeated undermining of the elected government by the office of the Lieutenant Governor.
He asserted that the government in J&K is one “made from the hearts of the people” and not a nominated or appointed one.
Referring to recent administrative decisions and transfers, the Deputy CM warned that such actions damage the spirit of Indian democracy.
“We hoped that LG sahib would accept the mandate of the people and will understand and according to that work will be done. But it seems that some things are not getting right and when such an action happens, whether it is in the form of a transfer or in any form, then do not think that someone should celebrate that I have done a lot of bravery,” Choudhary told reporters in Srinagar.
Drawing parallels with the freedom struggle, he invoked the sacrifices of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, questioning whether ignoring the democratic mandate amounted to reverting to colonial-era practices.
“If elected representatives are not allowed to take decisions, what difference remains between us and the British?” he asked.
The deputy CM said that when the government is elected by the people, then the elected government should get the full right to make those decisions in the interest of the people.
Highlighting the accessibility of elected leaders compared to bureaucratic officers, the Deputy CM said people feel free to speak with their representatives, unlike during high-security visits by senior officers or the LG.
“When the LG visits, roads are sealed and forces are deployed. But we go among our people without fear, because we serve them,” he said.
He also praised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, describing him as “a polished and down-to-earth leader” whose leadership could greatly benefit J&K in the current term.
“Even if someone tries to crush the people’s mandate, they will fail. We are protected by the people and by God,” he added.
The deputy CM warned that continued interference with the elected government’s functioning could force representatives to take to the streets in protest.
“We are not afraid …We are here to face challenges, and if necessary, we will fight for our people by taking to the streets. Right now, we are quiet because we are in the government. But if someone wants to push us out, we will not back down,” he said.
He also referred to public discontent with previous governments, claiming the current government was voted in as a rejection of a decade of misrule.
“People elected us because they were disappointed with the last 10 years — whether under alliance ( BJP-PDP) or another setup (LG rule). That’s why we were given this mandate,” he said, adding that they got the mandate against the LG government and the alliance.
The Deputy Chief Minister called for the urgent restoration of statehood, claiming that only then will governance truly reflect the will of the people and bring an end to what he termed as a “spoilt system” and “proxy rule.”
Only statehood restoration will end ‘proxy rule’: Deputy CM
