NC’s advisory groups meant to silence dissent, not improve governance: Sunil Sharma

JAMMU: Leader of Opposition (LoP), in J&K Assembly Sunil Sharma strongly criticized the National Conference Government’s decision to constitute informal advisory groups of its MLAs, describing the move as an attempt to contain internal dissent within the party rather than introduce any meaningful mechanism for better governance.

Questioning the authority behind the arrangement, Sharma said, “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.”

He said the National Conference has a long history of placing the interests of one family and one party above democratic institutions and public welfare. “This decision is yet another reflection of that mindset. Instead of strengthening institutions, the NC is creating parallel arrangements to manage its own internal political problems.”

Sharma cautioned that giving NC MLAs exclusive access to Ministers and advance information about policy decisions would undermine democratic equality and marginalize elected representatives belonging to the Opposition. He said voters who elected Opposition MLAs deserve the same respect, access and representation as those who voted for the ruling party.

“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. Even the NC’s own alliance partners have been kept outside this arrangement, clearly demonstrating that these groups are meant to manage internal dissent rather than promote inclusive governance,” he said.

Seeking clarity from the Government, the LoP questioned whether these informal groups would have access to departmental files, authority to review expenditure or the power to question government officers. He also asked whether the Ministers concerned would be accountable to the Chief Minister and the elected Assembly or to the party president.

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

The Leader of Opposition further said that the arrangement bypasses the Legislative Assembly and its established committee system, which are the appropriate democratic forums for examining government policies, scrutinizing departmental functioning and ensuring accountability.

“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. The Opposition has a legitimate and indispensable role in holding the Government accountable, and no party can monopolies the democratic process,” he said.

Sharma also raised serious concerns over the propriety of Ministers sharing official policy matters and departmental information with party-level groups. He observed that Ministers take an oath of secrecy and are bound by the responsibilities attached to their constitutional offices. Sharing confidential departmental information or official matters with unauthorized party forums, outside the requirements of their official duties, raises serious 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 said that the National Conference, unable to accommodate all its MLAs within the constitutional limit on the size of the Council of Ministers, appears to have created these groups merely to placate disgruntled legislators without giving them any meaningful responsibility.

“This is nothing but political eyewash designed to silence internal dissent and keep unhappy MLAs within the party fold. Unfortunately, while the NC is busy managing its internal affairs, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are being made to pay the price through weakened institutions and compromised governance,” he said.

Suggesting a constructive alternative, the LoP said that if the Government genuinely intends to seek feedback and involve elected representatives in policy formulation, it should establish All-Party Consultative Committees on the lines of parliamentary practices and similar mechanisms followed by other State Legislatures.

“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,” Sharma added.

“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.”