NC’s advisory groups aimed at silencing internal dissent, not improving governance: Sunil Sharma

Questions Farooq Abdullah’s authority, warns against parallel power centres; calls for all-party consultative committees

Jammu, Nov 11 : Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the National Conference government over its decision to constitute informal advisory groups comprising party MLAs, alleging that the move was aimed at containing internal dissent rather than improving governance or strengthening democratic institutions.

Sharma questioned the authority under which National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah could direct ministers of an elected government to engage with party-level groups, alleging that the arrangement raised serious concerns about political interference in administrative functioning.

“Dr Farooq Abdullah holds no constitutional or governmental office. On what authority is a party president directing Ministers of an elected Government to report to party-level groups? This clearly exposes the reality that the Government is being run from Gupkar rather than the Civil Secretariat,” Sharma said.

He alleged that the National Conference was creating parallel arrangements to address its internal political challenges instead of strengthening established democratic institutions.

The LoP expressed concern that granting NC legislators exclusive access to ministers and advance information about policy decisions could undermine the principle of equal representation and marginalise opposition MLAs.

He said elected representatives, irrespective of their political affiliations, must have equal opportunities to raise public concerns and seek development for their constituencies.

“Governance cannot be based on party loyalty. Development must follow the needs and aspirations of the people, not the political convenience of the ruling party,” Sharma said.

He further alleged that even the National Conference’s alliance partners had been excluded from the proposed arrangement, which, according to him, indicated that the advisory groups were intended to manage dissatisfaction within the ruling party rather than promote inclusive governance.

Raising questions about the functioning and legal standing of the groups, Sharma sought clarification on whether their members would have access to departmental files, authority to review government expenditure or powers to question administrative officers.

He also questioned whether ministers would remain accountable to the Chief Minister and Legislative Assembly or be expected to answer to the party leadership.

“If these groups have no such powers, they are nothing more than a consolation prize offered to disgruntled NC MLAs. However, if they are allowed to exercise any administrative authority, they risk becoming unaccountable parallel power centers outside the established constitutional framework,” he said.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir elected 90 MLAs, not just members of the National Conference,” Sharma added.

The opposition leader maintained that the Legislative Assembly and its established committee system were the appropriate constitutional forums for reviewing government policies, examining departmental functioning and ensuring accountability.

He alleged that the proposed arrangement could bypass these mechanisms and weaken the role of the opposition in scrutinising government decisions.

“The Assembly is where the Government must answer questions, face scrutiny and remain accountable to the people through their elected representatives. Ministers are accountable to the House, not to political groups constituted by one party,” he said.

Sharma also raised concerns about the possibility of official policy matters and departmental information being shared with informal party-level groups, arguing that ministers were bound by the responsibilities and obligations attached to their constitutional offices.

He said any sharing of confidential government information outside authorised channels would raise questions of propriety and accountability.

“Calling these groups ‘informal’ does not make the questions surrounding their functioning disappear. If they have no official role or authority, what purpose do they serve? And if they are being given access to official information and departmental functioning, under what rules and legal authority is this being done?” he questioned.

Sharma further alleged that the National Conference, unable to accommodate all its legislators in the Council of Ministers because of constitutional restrictions on its size, had devised the advisory groups to placate dissatisfied MLAs without assigning them meaningful responsibilities.

“This is nothing but political eyewash designed to silence internal dissent and keep unhappy MLAs within the party fold,” he said.

He claimed that the ruling party’s focus on managing its internal affairs was coming at the cost of effective governance and institutional accountability.

Suggesting an alternative, Sharma urged the government to establish all-party consultative committees on the lines of parliamentary practices and mechanisms followed in other state legislatures.

He said such committees would allow elected representatives from across the political spectrum to participate in policy discussions, offer feedback and contribute to governance while maintaining transparency and accountability.

“Such committees would ensure participation across party lines, promote transparency, strengthen democratic institutions and give every elected representative an opportunity to contribute to governance. Jammu and Kashmir deserves accountable and inclusive governance, not party-controlled parallel arrangements,” he said.

Reiterating his opposition to the proposed advisory groups, Sharma said democratic institutions must remain above party interests and that the government should be accountable to the elected legislature rather than political leadership outside the constitutional framework.

“Ministers answer to the elected House, not to the president of a political party. The institutions of democracy must remain supreme, not the interests of one party or one family,” he added. (KNS)