J&K Governor dissolves assembly after PDP-NC-Cong alliance, Sajad Lone-BJP stake claim to form govt

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has dissolved the assembly after the PDP-NC-Congress alliance combined and People’s Conference, backed by BJP,  Sajad Lone staked claim to form the government on November 21.

#BREAKING -- Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolves J&K Assembly. | #JKCMRace pic.twitter.com/iypmONqFAy

— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 21, 2018

Earlier, the Mehbooba Mufti-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Omar Abdullah-led National Conference, and Congress had announced an alliance, claiming that they have the numbers to form the government in the state.

Mufti even tweeted a copy of the letter that she had faxed to the Raj Bhavan as she claimed that "strangely the fax was not received".

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

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— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 21, 2018

She said that the PDP with 29 seats, the NC with 15 seats and the Congress with 12 seats have the support of a total of 56 MLAs. The Jammu and Kashmir assembly has a total of 87 seats, with the halfway mark of 44.

In the meantime, People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone also staked claim to form the government. He also put out a copy of the letter that he sent to the Governor Malik through WhatsApp.

pic.twitter.com/9Srmmapdkr

— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) November 21, 2018

In the letter, he has said that he has the support of BJP (25 seats) and more than 18 other elected members of the state legislature, which makes the total just above the halfway mark.

With the PDP-NC-Congress claiming that they have the support of 56 MLAs and Sajad Lone stating that he has the backing of at least 43 MLAs, there seems to be an indication of horse-trading in the offing.

The Governor dissolved the assembly after taking these developments into account. The move received a sharp response from NC leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah:

JKNC has been pressing for assembly dissolution for 5 months now. It can’t be a coincidence that within minutes of Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba letter staking claim the order to dissolve the assembly suddenly appears.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 21, 2018

Later, Mufti, in a tweet, expressed her "heartfelt gratitude" to Abdullah for "helping us achieve the seemingly impossible."

Since the past five months, regardless of political affiliations, we shared the view that the state assembly be dissolved immediately to avert horse trading & defections. 2/4

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 21, 2018

The BJP-PDP alliance was called off in Jammu and Kashmir in June this year, which had warranted Governor’s Rule in the state.

The six-month term of Governor’s Rule is due to end on December 19, after which President’s Rule will have to be imposed in case no government is formed. This is because the Jammu and Kashmir constitution has no provision for extension of Governor’s Rule.

Governor Malik had told news agency PTI last month that he was in favour of holding early elections in the state as he did not think a popular government can be formed out of the present House.