Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik dissolves state assembly

Satya Pal Malik, the Jammu and Kashmir Governor on Wednesday evening dissolved the state assembly after claims to form the government in the state was made by People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Mufti said that she had the support of 56 Congress and the National Conference legislators, Lone stated that he enjoyed the backing of 26 legislators of the BJP and 18 other such people.

In a tweet, Mufti sent her letter to Malik, adding that she had been putting in efforts to fax it and even mentioned that she couldn’t contact him on the phone.

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

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 21, 2018

An excerpt from her letter reads, “As you are aware that Peoples Democratic Party is the largest party in the State assembly having a strength of 29. You might have gathered from the media reports that the Congress and National Conference has a strength of 15 and the Congress 12. That takes over collective strength to 56.”

Lone, in the meantime, was quick to send out a tweet of his own where he wrote,” 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.”

We have sent a letter to His Excellency the Governor staking our claim to form the government. Fax not working. We ha e whatsapped it to the PA to his excellency. @jandkgovernor

— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) November 21, 2018

People critical of BJP argue that this move of the J&K governor of dissolving the state assembly was purely done with a motive to stop the alliance of Omar Abdullah, Mufti and the Congress from assuming power in the state. Their claim to form the government was a strong one, given the fact that they have the support of 56 MLAs, which is 12 more than what is generally required.

Lone in the meantime said that he not only had the support of not only the BJP but also of 18 other law-makers.

Also read: J&K: Will Congress, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah join hands?

Image credit-(Mehbooba Mufti) -The Indian Express

Image credit- (Satya Pal Malik)-DNA India

Image credit-(Sajad Lone)- Kashmir Age