The fear of losing power has driven Jammu and Kashmir politics. There is a fear that a non-BJP government may be formed in the state. As a result the state assembly has been dissolved by governor Satyapal Malik. He said that he didn’t see the possibilities of a stable government in the state.
This happened after there were claims of forming a government by PDP and National Conference and Congress. There were counter-claims of forming government by People’s Conference. This party claimed the support of BJP and 18 legislatures from other parties. At last, J&K governor dissolved the assembly.
Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti had yesterday complained that the fax machine was not working at Rajbhavan. Mufti had sent a fax regarding claims to form government in the state. Pinarayi Vijayan has criticized the governor’s move by calling it undemocratic.
जम्मू-कश्मीर की विधान सभा का अचानक भंग किया जाना पूर्णत: अलोकतांत्रिक है. आज कश्मीर से लेकर केरल तक हर जगह लोकतंत्र ख़तरे में है. देश के सभी विचारवान नागरिकों को एक साथ आना होगा नहीं तो जनतंत्र व जनमत का गला घोंट दिया जाएगा.
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) November 22, 2018
The decision of the J&K Governor to dissolve the assembly and thereby denying political parties the right to form a Government is undemocratic & anti-people.
It is clear that the decision was taken when it became evident that a non-BJP government was going to be formed.— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) November 22, 2018
There was a BJP-PDP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir when Mehbooba Mufti took over as CM of state in April 2016. She was sworn in as CM after her father died. However, Mehbooba Mufti had to resign her post in June this year. This happened after BJP withdrew its support from the alliance. The governor’s rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir. Now, PDP has again sought to make government in the state. People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone also staked similar claims. But, the assembly has been dissolved by the governor himself.
Actually, the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir is for a six-year term. This is more than that of other Indian states where this tenure is for 5 years. It is to note that the governor can dissolve the assembly upon advice of Chief minister of the state. But, the state was already under governor rule. So he didnt had to consult CM, as there was none. The press communique released late night by him cited the reason of difference in political parties which claim to form government as a reason of dissolving assembly.
Governor’s rule is ending next month. Due to dissolution of assembly, this will be followed by president’s rule. People of J&K will be devoid of their democratic right to choose their government amidst the politics of power in the state. Afterall, BJP wont want any other government in the state untill 2019 elections.
