Srinagar, Apr 5 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and party chief whip in the Assembly Nizamuddin Bhat on Saturday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah not to “bypass” the elected government while undertaking any initiative or review during his three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir starting Sunday.



The appeal came amid growing tension between the Chief Minister’s office and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha over the recent transfer of 48 middle-rung officers.

The Chief Minister has already brought the matter to the Home Minister’s attention.

On Friday, legislators from the ruling National Conference–Congress alliance, along with some Independents, passed a resolution urging the Union government to honour the people’s mandate in J&K and not undermine the authority of the elected government.



“We will request him (Home Minister), that a popular government is in place which has a massive mandate, and this is a matter of pride for the democracy and the country, because India is known and alive only through institutions…. So, we will request the Home Minister, that whatever be the task, it (the elected government) should not be bypassed by any means,” Bhat told a press conference in Srinagar.



Shah is scheduled to arrive in J&K on Sunday for a three-day visit. During his stay, he is expected to chair a meeting of BJP MLAs, visit the International Border, and review the security situation. He is also scheduled to visit Srinagar on April 7, where he will hold meetings on security and development.



Reiterating his appeal, Bhat said any decision or activity in the state must include the elected government. “There is a constitutional command, constitutional prerogative too, and also, ethical and moral and politically reasonable and obligatory,” he said.

Bhat also hit out at what he termed "disgruntled and extraneous elements" within the party, accusing them of creating unnecessary drama in Delhi to malign the party’s image.

Without naming anyone he said these individuals, who have no official role in the Jammu and Kashmir Congress, acted unethically and appeared to be working at the behest of the party’s adversaries.

“Perhaps to defame Congress at the state and national level, they behaved in a way that lacked morality and discipline,” he said.

“There is a disciplinary committee within the party which has already submitted a report against them for violating the party’s constitution,” he added.

UNI MJR SJC