Srinagar: Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Saturday intensified his criticism of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti over her recent review of the AIIMS Awantipora project, describing the episode as a case of “constitutional impropriety” and questioning the authority of a non-MLA to chair such a meeting.
The remarks come amid a growing political controversy after Mehbooba Mufti reviewed the progress of the AIIMS project and subsequently disclosed that she had spoken to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda regarding the completion of the institution.
In a detailed statement, Lone questioned whether similar privileges would now be available to unelected political leaders across Jammu and Kashmir.
“Now I have a question for Mehbooba Ji. If she chairs a review meeting of a central institution today, without being an MLA, what stops an RSS or BJP non-MLA functionary from chairing similar meetings?” he asked.
Lone argued that allowing unelected political figures to oversee official review meetings could set a precedent with wider implications for governance and constitutional accountability.
He said leaders such as Farooq Abdullah, Ghulam Nabi Azad or other senior politicians could similarly claim the right to chair official meetings despite not holding executive authority.
“Is the elected political space in J&K destined to be a fish market?” he asked.
The Peoples Conference chief maintained that the issue was not personal but related to constitutional norms and institutional boundaries.
“The chairing of the review meeting at AIIMS by a non-MLA was an unconstitutional trespass and will remain an unconstitutional trespass,” Lone said.
He also urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to clearly define the roles and authority of elected representatives and opposition leaders to avoid similar controversies in the future.
The remarks add another dimension to the political row surrounding the AIIMS Awantipora visit, which has already sparked sharp exchanges between the National Conference and the PDP. [KNT]
