On Wednesday, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) head and former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti released a letter averring her decision to form the government with the National Conference (NC) and the Congress. This was followed by a similar Whatsapp message to the Jammu and Kashmir governor, Satya Pal Malik by the People’s Conference (PC) leader, Sajad Lone. On Wednesday evening, the Governor dissolved the Jammu & Kashmir State Legislative Assembly.
The Governor’s office has released a statement according to which the Governor dissolved the assembly as the new alliances formed are for mere attainment of power and unlikely to last long. The statement further highlighted the need for a stable government.
Reportedly, NC’s de facto President, Omar Abdullah, has criticised the Governor’s decision. He said NC and the Congress had been demanding dissolution of the J&K State Assembly for months and it was no coincidence that right after Mufti’s alliance announcement, the Governor dissolved the assembly.
Post the end of the six-month term on December 19, Jammu & Kashmir is now moving towards another term of President’s rule.