‘Are they above the Assembly?’ Why Jammu and Kashmir politicians are up in arms against bureaucrats

What happened: On September 28, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution seeking restoration of statehood. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said two senior bureaucrats wrote to the Speaker urging him not to take up the resolution. Key numbers: Resolution passed September 28. Jammu and Kashmir became a union territory in August 2019. Why it matters: Parties except the BJP criticised the bureaucrats' letters. The BJP demanded the Speaker's resignation and moved a no-confidence motion. Critics said the incident reflects the elected government's limited power in a union territory.

On September 28, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution seeking restoration of statehood. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said two senior bureaucrats wrote to the Speaker urging him not to take up the resolution.

Parties except the BJP criticised the bureaucrats' letters. The BJP demanded the Speaker's resignation and moved a no-confidence motion. Critics said the incident reflects the elected government's limited power in a union territory.