Sinha says ‘no excuse for non-performance’; Omar hits back citing security failure in Pahalgam attack
Arteev Sharma
Jammu: A fresh political confrontation erupted between Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today over the issue of governance and the restoration of Statehood– exactly six years after the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh.
Speaking at the Union Territory Day celebrations on Friday, the Lieutenant Governor launched a sharp attack on the Omar Abdullah-led government, accusing it of failing to address the basic problems of the people.
He asserted that the absence of statehood cannot be used as an “excuse of underperformance,” saying that the elected government has all the powers it needs and should work for the welfare of the people.
“You can’t use the excuse that work will take place only after statehood. They (Omar government) have all the powers, and I want to convey forcefully that people shouldn’t be fooled. They should use their authority for the welfare of the people,” Lt Governor Sinha said.
The Lieutenant Governor further said that if the government has the intent and determination, no public issue can remain unresolved. “The government needs to work instead of making excuses. The public will no longer be misled by such justifications,” he added.
In a widely circulated video, Omar Abdullah hit back sharply, said those responsible for maintaining the security of J&K should not preach to the elected government about governance.
The Chief Minister said the attack, in which 26 people were killed, happened under the watch of the Lt Governor, who is responsible for security and law and order in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We know our work. He should focus on his. Twenty-six of our guests were killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. It happened under his watch, and he is advising us to do our work,” he said.
Omar said that during his previous six-year term as Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, there was not a single incident in which a tourist was harmed. He said that “had I been responsible for security, an incident like Pahalgam would never have taken place”.
“Who is responsible for the security of J&K? It’s not in my hands,” Omar said, adding, “The responsibility for maintaining law and order lies with those who control the security apparatus, not with the elected government. Do your job properly — we know how to work and perform.”
Reiterating his demand for restoration of statehood, the Chief Minister said, “The promise made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the Supreme Court and Parliament should be honoured. Why are these people so afraid of statehood? Why don’t they want to let go of power?”
Omar reminded that during the 2024 Assembly elections, every political party — including the BJP — sought votes on the assurance that statehood would be restored after the polls. “Now they say it will happen at an ‘appropriate time.’ I want to know what the parameter is for deciding that appropriate time,” he questioned.
“How do you measure it? On what scale do you weigh the appropriate time for statehood? As Chief Minister, I should at least know the goal or target set for J&K’s statehood,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sinha, while highlighting the Central Government’s commitment to the all-round development of the Union Territory, claimed that significant progress had been achieved across sectors such as education, health, tourism, road connectivity, and industrial investment. “Today’s Jammu and Kashmir has become a new symbol of development and stability,” he asserted.
Accusing former ruling parties of misleading the public, Sinha remarked, “Those who ruled J&K for decades, despite having statehood, failed to deliver on their promises. Now, they are trying to hide their inefficiency behind excuses.”
He further said that welfare schemes and transparent governance introduced under the Central Government had brought tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.
