Politics in Jammu and Kashmir has become increasingly dramatic on Wednesday after the Governor dissolved the state assembly. His sudden move came moments after Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti staked claim to form the government in the state with help from rivals Congress and the National Conference.
In his order, the governor wrote, “By virtue of powers vested upon me in terms of Proclamation No. P-1/18 of 2018 dated 20th June, 2018 issued under sub-section (1) of section 92 and in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by clause (b) of sub-section 2 of section 53 of the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, I hereby dissolve the Legislative Assembly.”
In her letter to Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Satyapal Malik, she wrote that her party, the PDP, with the strength of 29 MLAs was staking its claim to form a new government in the state. She wrote, “As you are aware that Peoples Democratic Party is the largest party in the State assembly having a strength of 29. You might have gathered from the media reports that the Congress and National Conference have also decided to extend support to our party to form a government in the State.
“National Conference has a strength of 15 and the Congress 12. That takes our collective strength to 56.”
Her letter went on to add, “Since I am in Srinagar, it would not be possible for me to call on you immediately and this is to keep you informed that we would be seeking your convenience shortly to stake the claim for forming the government in the State.
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’s tweet also said that the fax machine at the Rajbhavan was non-functional she did not succeed in sending the letter across. She wrote, “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.”
The coalition government of the BJP and the PDP had fallen after the former withdrew its support, paving way for the Governor’s rule to be imposed.
Earlier on Wednesday, Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that the conversation was underway among three political parties on the prospect of forming a unity government. He had, however, made it clear that the conversation had not yielded a definite outcome on agreeing to form the government.
