Governor's rule in valley; Vohra puts assembly under suspension

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra on Wednesday placed the state Assembly under suspended animation, exercising his powers under the constitution after the imposition of Governor's rule.

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had demanded the dissolution of the Assembly so that the process of holding early elections in the state could be started.

On Tuesday, the BJP suddenly withdrew its support to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pulled out of the ruling PDP-BJP coalition, causing the government to collapse.

Also Read: Bharatiya Janata Party sacrifices Kashmir for ‘Mission 2019’

After all major political parties including the PDP, National Conference and the BJP said they would not explore the possibility of forming an elected government in the state, Abdullah said horse trading could not be ruled out unless the Assembly was dissolved.

In the 87-member Assembly, the PDP has 28 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party 25, National Conference 15, Congress 12, CPI-M 1, Peoples Conference 2 and Peoples Democratic Front 1. There are also three independent MLAs.

A day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti resigned from the post, President Ram Nath Kovind approved governor's rule in the state on Wednesday.

Governor NN Vohra has now presided over state. he is doing it for the fourth time. The governor had earlier overseen the rule in 2008, 2015 and 2016.

It is to be mentioned that Mufti's resignation as the CM created a turmoil in the political atmosphere of the valley, after the Bharatiya Janata Party pulled out from the alliance with the People's Democratic Party.

Vohra, who was to end his term as governor within a week will now be continuing till August 26 till the conclusion of 'Amarnath Yatra'.