Chidambaram expresses concern over absence of elected CM in LG’s law and order meeting

Srinagar, Oct 24: Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram has expressed concern over the absence of the elected Chief Minister in a law and order review meeting chaired by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a post on X, Chidambaram said:

“The photograph of the LG of Jammu & Kashmir presiding over a meeting to review the law and order situation in J&K is telling. The elected Chief Minister is not present. Whether he was invited or not, I do not know,” he said according to KNS News Agency.

Chidambaram further noted that under the current legal framework, police and public order are subjects controlled by the LG, leaving the elected government sidelined.

He added:“The people have elected a Chief Minister and government to look after their security, among other things, but the Chief Minister has no authority. This is why J&K is described as half a state.”

The former minister called for the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that the current governance arrangement undermines the authority of the elected leadership.