Governor’s rule imposed in J&K

Governor’s rule has been imposed in Jammu & Kashmir with effect from January 08, sources in the government told TOI. The proclamation in this regard is being issued.

Governor’s rule was necessitated in Jammu & Kashmir after chief minister Omar Abdullah told the governor NN Vohra on Wednesday night that he would not like to continue as caretaker chief minister anymore. The assembly elections in the state were completed on December 20. The results, declared on December 23, had thrown up a fractured verdict.

With political parties in J&K failing to agree upon a power-sharing formula and Abdullah stepping down as caretaker CM on Thursday, Section 92 of J&K Constitution has been invoked to bring the state under governor’s rule from the time of Abdullah’s exit.

The governor’s rule has been imposed in J&K on the direction of the President Pranab Mukherjee, who must go by the advice of the Union government, according to Constitutional expert Subhash C Kashyap.

Vohra had on Thursday sent a report to the Centre conveying a “political deadlock” in the state and recommending imposition of governor’s rule in the wake of failure of any party or political formation to cobble the numbers to form the next government as well as Omar’s request to be relieved as the caretaker chief minister.

Omar Abdullah told governor N Vohra that he will no longer be the caretaker chief minister of J&K. (PTI photo)

Omar had tweeted on Thursday: “Just to confirm I did meet Gov Vohra sahib last night and asked him to relieve me as caretaker CM. I had agreed to stay temporarily … Given the situation on the border and 10,000 displaced, the hardships of winter and the continuing need for relief for flood affected, I believe the interests of the state will only be served by a full-time administrator and not a caretaker with no mandate to govern”.

A home ministry official said J&K governor’s rule can be lifted the moment any party or political formation in is in a position to form the government and stakes claim.