Amid high political drama, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday evening. The Assembly was suspended five months ago following the fall of the PDP-BJP government in the state. The dissolution came minutes after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti shot off a letter to the Governor seeking time to seek support from her allies and then stake claim to form government in J&K. Sources said PDP is in talks with Congress and National Conference (NC).
The Governor dissolved the assembly fearing horse-trading and after concluding that it would be impossible to form a stable government by the coming together of political parties with opposing political ideologies.
A press communique issued by the Governor said that the grouping is nothing but an attempt to gain power rather than to form a responsive government. "Reports of extensive horse trading and possible exchange of money in order to secure the support of legislators belonging to widely diverging political ideologies just to be able to form a government. Such activities are not healthy for democracy and vitiate the political process," it said.
The Governor came to the conclusion that, in this background, he has satisfied himself that the best course of action is to dissolve the assembly so as to provide stability and security to the state and hold elections at an appropriate time so that a government with a clear mandate is duly formed.
Miffed at the PDP-led alliance, senior BJP leader and former deputy CM Kavinder Gupta said the government formation was being done at the behest of Pakistan.
"They are holding meetings with Pakistani agents in Dubai and London. They boycotted local body elections on the directions of Pakistan and now they are trying to form the government on their instance," Gupta said.
Separatist-turned-MLA Sajad Lone too dashed a letter seeking time to stake his claim to form the government. Lone allegedly has the support of the BJP and 18 unnamed MLAs. The Lone-led Peoples Conference has two MLAs in the 87-member House.
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad is believed to have worked assiduously to prevent BJP from taking credit of heading a government in the country's only Muslim majority state. However, Azad said that they have not promised support to form the government in J&K. The Congress is still in talks with PDP.
He mentioned that PCC chief, Omar and Mehbooba would be meeting in Jammu on Thursday.
The development comes a day after PDP co-founder Muzaffar Hussain Baig hinted at joining the Third Front led by former separatist turned MLA Sajad Lone, who is close to the BJP.
Insiders said the BJP was exploring the option of having the first Hindu chief minister from Jammu in the state so that they could project it as a big achievement in the 2019 general elections. It may be recalled that five PDP MLAs and two MLCs had revolted against Mufti. But the two MLAs later buried the hatchet and returned in the party fold.
PDP leader and former education minister Syed Mohommad Altaf Bukhari could be the consensual candidate for the CM's post. He met NC vice-president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday to hold talks.
"Yes. The leaders of three parties are in talks to join hands to make an alliance," Bukhari said.
Sources said PDP and Congress had decided to be part of the new government while NC will support the alliance from outside. A political formation needs 44 MLAs for simple majority in the 87-member House.
The PDP is the single-largest party with 28 members followed by BJP with 25 MLAs. The NC has 15 and Congress 12 members in the House. The former separatist leader led People's Conference has two MLAs while CPIM and PDF has one member each. Rest are Independents. "We want a secular front of likeminded parties. Now, we need to have formal meetings and decide about the procedures," said GA Mir, J&K Congress president.
"Governor Satya Pal Malik has passed an order after exercising powers conferred upon him by clause (b) of sub section (2) of section 53 of the Constitution of J&K dissolving the Legislative Assembly," said Umang Narula, principal secretary of J&K Governor.
J&K was under Governor's rule since the fall of the PDP government after the BJP pulled out on June 19. Under the J&K Constitution, the Governor's rule can remain in force for six months which ends on December 19. The President's rule will come into force if there is no government formation.
VALLEY’S GAME OF THRONES
Mehbooba Mufti in talks with Cong & NC; sajad Lone discusses with BJP, 18 MLAs
Nov 20
- Muzaffar Hussain Baig, PDP co-founder and sitting MP from Baramulla hints at joining Third Front, led by Sajad Lone
- Development rattles National Conference, PDP and Congress
Nov 21
- Senior PDP leader Syed Mohommad Altaf Bukhari rushes to Omar Abdullah for talks
- NC agrees to support PDP from outside to safeguard Article 35 A
- Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad confirms talks are on for an alliance
- Bukhari confirms NC, PDP and Congress are in talks and may join hands to form next J&K govt
- Mehbooba Mufti writes a letter to Governor informing him about government formation with NC and Congress
- Lone too dashes letter to Governor seeking time to stake claim to form government
FRONT-RUNNER
PDP leader and former education minister Syed Mohommad Altaf Bukhari could be the consensual candidate for the CM’s post. He met NC vice-president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday
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