In an unpredictable turn of events, the BhartiyaJanta Party (BJP) withdrew its support from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) under their coalition in Kashmir this afternoon.
The State Elections in Kashmir in 2015 saw PDP gain 28 seats and BJP 25 seats. Though they formed a coalition and came into power, it had been an uneasy 3 years for them due to their wide ideological differences. Even though there was internal factionalism, nobody could have predicted that the BJP would have taken this step in a build-up to the 2019 general elections.
However, according to JKNC’s (Jammu and Kashmir National Conference) Omar Abdullah, this should have been a very predictable move. “I am not surprised by the decision but by the timing.There is a marked deterioration of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. We are mourning the demise of the democracy in the State.”
According to BJP’s Vice President and General Secretary Mr. Ram Madhav in Delhi, “”It has become untenable for the BJP to continue with the alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir.The BJP Ministers will resign from the Cabinet and the legislators will convey the decision to the Governor soon.”
The coalition between BJP and PDP took place because the former, according to them, wanted to bring back stability and peace to the valley. “Restoring peace in Kashmir and encouraging economic development in the three areas of the State was the object of this alliance.”
Within an hour of BJP declaring withdrawal of support,and the coalition government falling, Mehbooba Mufti had to resign from her post as CM of Kashmir. The BJP has now decided to go in favour of Governor’s rule in the State, which can be imposed for up to one year without stirring up the Parliament. “Keeping in mind that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and in order to control the prevailing situation in the State, we have decided that the reins of power in the state should be handed over to the Governor,” Mr.Madhav told journalists.
After submitting her resignation to Governor N. N. Vohra, Mehbooba Mufti told the Press that her party PDP did not ally with the BJP for power. “We defended Article 370 and 35A”, she said. “We can’t treat J&K as enemy territory. There is no room for ‘muscular policy’ in the State.”
