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Two Power centres are recipe for disaster says Omar Abdullah

Jammu :- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has issued a strong critique of the current dual governance model in the region, characterizing it as a “recipe for disaster” and calling for the swift restoration of statehood as promised by the central government. In his first major interview since taking office in October 2024, Abdullah highlighted the inherent challenges of having split authority between his role as Chief Minister and that of the Lieutenant Governor, drawing parallels to corporate and sports leadership where unified command is crucial for success.

The Chief Minister’s concerns stem from the complex political landscape that emerged after Jammu and Kashmir’s reorganization into a Union Territory in August 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370. Abdullah pointed to real-world examples of problematic dual governance, specifically citing Delhi’s experience with shared power between its government and Lieutenant Governor. He emphasized that J&K’s strategic location bordering China and Pakistan makes the need for unified leadership even more critical than in Delhi’s case.Abdullah’s National Conference party’s significant electoral victory, winning 41 of 90 assembly seats in the September elections, has strengthened his position to advocate for statehood restoration.

The elections themselves were held following a Supreme Court directive in December 2023, though Abdullah expressed disappointment that the court remained “vague” on the timeline for restoring statehood, only directing it be done “at the earliest.”The Chief Minister’s comments carry particular weight given the BJP-led central government’s repeated promises during election campaigns to restore J&K’s statehood.

While acknowledging that he has a backup plan if the region continues under the current hybrid model, Abdullah emphasized that the final decision rests with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. In the meantime, he described the current governmental setup as a “work in progress,” with ongoing efforts to clarify administrative boundaries between his elected government and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s authority over security matters.