Srinagar, April 4, 2025: The ruling National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir has summoned an urgent meeting of its legislative party today, prompted by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s recent reshuffle of the Union Territory’s higher administration. The transfer of 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service officers, ordered earlier this week, has sparked concerns within the NC-led government, which views the move as an overreach into the elected administration’s domain.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the meeting to discuss the implications of the reshuffle and strategize with NC legislators and alliance partners, including the Congress. The agenda remains closely guarded, but sources indicate the party aims to address perceived interference by Raj Bhavan in administrative decisions, particularly those affecting governance structures under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act. The NC contends that such transfers require consultation with the elected government, a process they claim was bypassed.
The reshuffle, executed by the General Administration Department, has intensified tensions between the NC-led government and the Lieutenant Governor’s office. The NC argues that the move undermines the authority of the elected administration, which has been working to establish clear governance rules since taking office in October 2024. Congress leaders, including Gulam Ahmed Mir, have echoed these sentiments, urging the LG to respect the elected government’s mandate.
The meeting is expected to explore legal and political options to assert the government’s role in administrative decisions while addressing public expectations for transparent governance. This development follows months of efforts by the NC to push for statehood restoration and greater autonomy, highlighting ongoing challenges in navigating the Union Territory’s dual governance model.