Amid political high drama, Governor Satya Pal Malik Wednesday evening dissolved the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after the Peoples Democratic Party and Peoples Conference staked separate claims for forming a government in the state.
The curtains fell on the day-long political drama this evening when the Governor dissolved the Assembly whose term would end in March 2021.
“By virtue of powers vested upon me in terms of proclamation P-I/18 of 2018 dated 20th June 2018 issued under sub-section (1) of section 92 and in exercise of the powers conferred me by clause (b) of sub-section 2 of section 53 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, I hereby dissolve the Legislative Assembly,” read an official handout issued by Raj Bhavan, quoting orders of the Governor.
The development came after both PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and PC chief Sajjad Gani Lone, through separate letters, staked claim for forming government in the State.
At 8.16 pm, Mehbooba wrote on twitter that she could not reach the Governor through fax or phone and tagged the letter sent by her to the Governor on the official twitter account of Raj Bhavan.
“Have been trying to send this letter to Raj Bhavan. Strangely the fax is not received. Tried to contact HE Governor on phone. Not available. Hope you see it @ jandkgovernor (sic),” Mehbooba wrote.
In her letter to Raj Bhavan, Mehbooba claimed that she has the support of 56 MLAs, including 15 from the National Conference and 12 from the Congress.
“You might have gathered from the media reports that the Congress and the National Conference have also decided to extend support to our party to form a government in the state. The National Conference has strength of 15 MLAs and the Congress 12. That takes our collective strength to 56,” read the letter.
“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 claim for forming the government in the state,” Mehbooba wrote in the letter.
Just eight minutes later, at 8.24 pm, Sajjad took to twitter to announce that he has also staked claim for forming the government.
“We have sent a letter to his Excellency the Governor, staking our claim to form the government. Fax not working. We have whatsapped it to the PA to his Excellency,” Sajjad wrote.
At 8.40 pm, Sajjad also uploaded a screenshot of the acknowledgment from PA of the Governor to the letter sent by him.
The dissolution of Assembly has paved way for fresh Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir which will come under president’s rule on December 19.