Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
JandKJ&K Governor Dissolves Assembly Amid Race To Form Government

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the state assembly on Wednesday evening after rivals stake claims to form government from former CM Mehbooba Mufti and People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone, who is backed by the BJP. Mufti said her Peoples’ Democratic Party has the support of arch-rival Omar Abdullah’s National Conference and the Congress. The state has been under Governor’s Rule since June, when the BJP ended its ruling alliance with Mufti-led PDP.

Mufti tweeted her letter to the Governor, claiming that she could not reach him through fax or phone. She has the support of 56 legislators, including 12 from the Congress and 15 from the National Conference, which is expected to provide outside support.

Sajad Lone, on a phone call to the Governor, said, “I shall submit the Letter of Support from the BJP legislature Party and other members supporting the government… as and when asked to do so by your Excellency.”  Lone, whose party has two legislators, said he has the support of the BJP, which has 26 legislators and “more than 18 other lawmakers”.

Governor Malik said he reached the conclusion to dissolve the assembly due to “The impossibility of forming a stable government by the coming together of political parties with opposing political ideologies” and “Reports of extensive horse trading and possible exchange of money in order to secure the support of legislators”.

Shortly after the governor dissolved the assembly, Omar Abdullah tweeted: “@JKNC_ has been pressing for assembly dissolution for 5 months now. It can’t be a coincidence that within minutes of @MehboobaMufti letter staking claim the order to dissolve the assembly suddenly appears.”In a later tweet, Ms Mufti said, “PS – In today’s age of technology, it is very strange that the fax machine at HE Governor’s residence didn’t receive our fax but swiftly issued one regarding the assembly dissolution”.

BJP mocked the incident by tweeting: “The proposed alliance between the INC and the PDP broke up even before it was formed. They have taken contradictory positions on dissolution. One supports it and the other opposes it,” one tweet read. “The best option in such a scenario is to go in for a fresh election at the earliest. This assembly cannot produce a stable government,” it said in another tweet.

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