Legislators in J&K admit powerlessness, blame PDP

SRINAGAR — A growing sense of frustration is brewing among ruling legislators in Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom privately admit they have little say in governance and are perceived by the public as powerless. Several legislators, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they feel disempowered in the absence of full statehood and believe people know it very well.

“Everyone knows we are powerless. There is nothing substantial we can do on the ground, and the public is very much aware of that reality,” said one legislator. He squarely blamed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the current political vacuum, claiming it was their alliance with the BJP that gave New Delhi the opportunity to systematically erode the political authority of J&K’s elected representatives.

Another legislator echoed the sentiment, saying: “Without statehood, we are merely representatives in name. There is no real decision-making power left with us.”

Amid this growing chorus of discontent, senior legislator Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri—who defeated Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, in the Assembly elections, also weighed in on the issue. He rejected PDP’s attempts to pin the blame on the current dispensation.

“PDP has no moral right to blame anyone. They were the ones who invited the BJP into Jammu and Kashmir through their alliance. That partnership opened the door for everything that followed,” said Dr Veeri.

He also accused PDP of spreading misinformation. “They uploaded a twisted video on social media, trying to project it differently. I was expressing genuine concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in the Valley, not endorsing PDP’s narrative,” he said.

Dr Veeri maintained that legislators like him cannot be blamed for the current state of affairs. “We are disempowered. When nothing lies in your hands, how can you be held accountable?” he asked.