Jammu & Kashmir might be getting its new Chief Minister soon. According to leading news channels reports, Bhartiya Janta Party is all set to claim the government in J&K once Amarnath Yatra furls.
BJP’s withdrawal from its coalition with People’s Democratic Party (PDP) last month, led to the fall of government headed by Mehbooba Mufti. Since then J&K has been under Governor’s rule.
Now the rumors are on the rise of BJP forming government in J&K with the support of PDP ‘rebels’. Some MLAs have openly declared their discontentment with Mufti and her decisions. These ‘rebels’ are most likely to support BJP in forming a government.
In the elections held three years ago when PDP came to power with BJP’s alliance; PDP became the single largest party by gaining 28 seats. BJP won 25 seats, National Conference 15, Congress 12, Peoples Conference (PC) 2, and rest were independents.
To claim majority BJP requires 44 seats. It has already the support of Peoples Conference thus having a total of 27 seats. If it is able to lure the remaining MLAs it can rule J&K for the remaining three years.
According to News18 reports, Nirmal Singh, a senior BJP leader and J&K’s Deputy CM held a private meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP leaders have also been in touch with high-profile leaders like Sajjad Lone in Srinagar to further strengthen their claim.
BJP will probably make the big announcement in late August or early September as claimed in several reports.