J&K assembly dissolution brings arch-rivals Omar, Mehbooba closer

The former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, claimed to form government by ailling with its arch-rival Omar Abdullah's National Conference and the Congress.

Saima Siddiqui
Published on: 22 Nov 2018 4:59 AM GMT
J&K assembly dissolution brings arch-rivals Omar, Mehbooba closer
X

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Satya Pal Malik's decision to dissolve state assembly on Wednesday, came shortly after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claimed to form government in the state with majority.

The former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, claimed to form government by ailling with its arch-rival Omar Abdullah's National Conference and the Congress. The other claimant was People's Conference chief Sajad Lone, who is backed by the BJP.

ALSO READ: 50% ATMs across India to shut down by March 2019: CATMI

What the whole case:

In a letter written to Governor Ms. Mufti had said that the PDP is the largest party in the state assembly with the strength of 29. members. The Congress and NC has also promised to support our party to form government. Where NC has 15 members and the Congress has 12 MLAs making our collective strength to 56.

In a statement, the Governor said there were reports of "extensive horse trading". Underscoring the need for a stable government given the security situation, Mr Malik said there were doubts about "the longevity of any such arrangement where there are competing claims of majority".

ALSO READ: Mumbai: FIR filed against actor Alok Nath

Mehbooba also wrote," Since I am presently 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."

Assembly seats:

Total number of seats: 87

PDP- 28

BJP-25

National Conference-15

Congress-12

JKPC-2

Independent-3

CPM-1

JKPDF-1

ALSO READ: ‘When they fail, they brought Rafale’, says Rajnath in Bhopal

Ms. Mufti criticised Malik's decision of dissolution of state Assembly, questioning its timing. After which former CM Mufti tweeted four times in a row and also cracked jokes on about the fax machine in Raj Bhavan which failed to receive her letter. In her first tweet she wrote that in her twenty-six-year old career as a politician, she thought she had seen it all! But it is not like that.

Questioning Ms Mufti's Grand Alliance, the BJP said in a tweet, "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."

Later in the evening, PDP's Imran Ansari in an interview said that if the Governor had called them for a floor test, "we would've shown our members". Now, election is the only option, he said, adding, "If Mehbooba-ji thinks it's undemocratic, she has a lot of options in this democratic country".

The dissolution of the assembly has paved way for elections in the state within the next six months. The tenure of the governor's rule is ending next month.

Saima Siddiqui

Saima Siddiqui

Next Story