Anantnag 17 September 2026
Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Thursday questioned the functioning of the Union Territory administration, saying that if the elected government lacks the authority to take key decisions, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should consider dissolving the Assembly.Speaking to reporters in Anantnag, Sharma said an elected government must have meaningful powers to govern and take decisions.
He argued that if the government is unable to exercise such authority, continuing with the existing arrangement would serve little purpose.Sharma said that instead of merely remaining in office, the Chief Minister should take a decision on the future of the Assembly if the government believes it does not have adequate powers.
He also referred to the issue of restoration of statehood, saying that fresh elections would be necessary once Jammu and Kashmir regains statehood, as the present constitutional framework is that of a Union Territory.The remarks come amid the ongoing political debate in Jammu and Kashmir over the distribution of powers between the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor under the Union Territory framework.
The Leader of Opposition’s comments are likely to add to the wider discussion over statehood, administrative powers and the role of the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir.
