Governor encroaching on democratic space: Mufti

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday took on Governor Satya Pal Malik, accusing him "encroaching on the democratic space" and taking decisions against the interest of state at the behest of the Centre.

Implicitly targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led central government, Mehbooba said: "The Governor is encroaching on the democratic space and is issuing orders that are not required; there seems to be no emergency for issuing such orders. It seems that some agenda is being run in Jammu and Kashmir and Governor is part of it," said Mufti.

"Whether it was about declaring Jammu and Kashmir Bank a Public Sector Unit, or changing the procedure of the state subject or the Juvenile Act, the Governor's decisions have left all the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir worried barring a few," she said.

Elaborating on the "worry" people of the state is undergoing, Mehbooba observed that if the Governor makes Ladakh a division then Pir Panjal and Chenab should also be given division status.

"We have no objection on Governor giving the division to Ladakh. But I request the Governor that if he is giving the division to Ladakh then Pir-Panjal and Chenab valley should also be given division," said Mufti.

"Pir Panjal is a far-off and remote area and is not connected, and it even lacks basic amenities. At least, Ladakh and Kargil have Hill Development Council. But Pir Panjal and Chenab don't even have that," said Mehbooba. She expressed hope that if declared a division both the areas will subsequently have their own Hill Development Council also.

She said that all parties including National Conference, Congress and Independents, etc are in consonance with the PDP's demand.

Political slugfest started in the State after the Governor dissolved the Assembly last month after arch-rivals PDP and NC along with Congress confirmed that they stitched up an alliance to form the government in the state.

The state has been under the Governor's rule since June when the BJP ended its ruling alliance with the PDP.