After a day of high political drama in Jammu Kashmir, the Governor of the state Satya Pal Malik dissolved the legislative assembly of the state today. The state was under Governor’s rule since June this year.
#BREAKING — Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolves J&K Assembly. | #JKCMRace pic.twitter.com/iypmONqFAy
— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 21, 2018
An order issued by the Governor’s secretariat of Jammu and Kashmir stated that under the relevant clauses of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, the governor has dissolved the Legislative Assembly of the state.
Earlier, former chief minister and Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti had confirmed the speculations that the party is getting support from National Conference and Congress to form a government in the state. Media and Social Media was abuzz with speculations about this possible alliance the whole day today.
On Twitter the PDP leader posted a copy of a later she has written to the Governor of J&K to inform about the alliance. She accused that she was unable to send the letter via fax to the Raj Bhavan, and the Governor was not available on phone. Therefore, she tweeted the letter on Twitter, tagging the official Twitter account of J&K governor.
Have been trying to send this letter to Rajbhavan. Strangely the fax is not received. Tried to contact HE Governor on phone. Not available. Hope you see it @jandkgovernor pic.twitter.com/wpsMx6HTa8
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 21, 2018
Mufti stated in her letter that governor must have seen media reports that National Conference and Congress have decided to extend support to PDP to form a government in the state. She informed that they will be seeking an appointment with the governor soon to stake claim for forming the government.
She followed it up with another tweet informing that she is sending the letter also by mail.
On the other hand, People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone had also sent a letter to the governor staking claim to form a government with the support of BJP.
— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) November 21, 2018
Lone also had informed that fax at the Raj Bhavan was not working hence he had sent the letter via Whatsapp to the PA of the Governor.
After the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014, no party had won a majority to form a government. PDP had won 28 seats, BJP was in the second position with 25, while NC and Congress had won 15 and 12 seats. As no party or alliance was able to form a government, Governor’s rule was imposed in the state in December 2014. In March in the following year, PDP and BJP decided to form an alliance and PDP leader and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed sworn in as the chief minister. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed died in January 2016, and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti became the CM in April 2016, after a brief Governor’s rule. But there were serious differences between the alliance partners, especially on the handling of separatists by the Mehbooba government. In June this year, BJP had pulled out of the coalition government in June this year and the state was put under Governor’s rule again.
