Srinagar: Iltija Mufti, daughter of Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti, has voiced concerns over the diminishing powers of the future chief minister of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, describing the role as a “rubber stamp” in light of increasing authorities granted to the lieutenant governor. Her remarks come amid tensions regarding the central government’s handling of the region’s autonomy.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Iltija Mufti highlighted recent changes that bolster the lieutenant governor’s control, such as the power to appoint five members to the assembly and to modify its procedures. These changes, she argues, effectively undermine the position and powers traditionally held by the government of Jammu and Kashmir.
Iltija’s statements raise questions about the ongoing centralization of authority in the region and its impact on local governance. She pointedly asked how much more authority India intends to strip from Jammu and Kashmir, indicating deep concerns about the future of the region’s administrative autonomy.