Governor’s rule was imposed in Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday after Raj Bhavan’s initiative to seek opinion from the heads of PDP and BJP on the formation of new Government yielded no response. Minister of State in PMO Dr Jatendra Singh confirmed imposition of the Governor’s rule.
After receiving concurrence from the President of India, Governor NN Vohra issued a Proclamation late on Saturday to impose Governor’s Rule in the State. Raj Bhavan spokesperson stated that consequent to the sudden passing away of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7, the process to form Government had commenced and intimations were still awaited about the respective positions of the PDP and the BJP.
Observers say that Governor’s rule can be imposed for a short duration as two largest parties in Jammu & Kashmir Assembly, PDP and BJP, which cobbled an unprecedented coalition in March last year, are willing to continue the coalition under Mufti’s daughter Mehbooba Mufti’s leadership. The grief-stricken Mehbooba refused to take oath until the fourth day rituals were completed on Sunday. Prayer meetings are scheduled in Bijbehara (where Mufti was buried in Dara Shikoh Park) and Gupkar Road residence to conclude the mourning period, a tradition prevalent in Kashmiri Muslims.
However, the delay in oath ceremony created a constitutional situation as the demise of Chief Minister also dissolves the council of Ministers. leaders of both PDP and BJP have indicated that there was no difference of opinion on promoting 57-year Mufti to the hot seat.
Governor NN Vohra on Friday afternoon faxed separate letters to Mufti, who is PDP president and her BJP counterpart Satpal Sharma seeking their respective opinions on the formation of Government. Sources said after receiving no response, the Governor initiated process to impose his rule in the State. This would be second time in a year’s time when Governor’s rule is imposed in J&K. last January, after Omar Abdullah stepped down as caretaker Chief Minister following poll debacle of his party, the Governor’s rule was imposed that continued for three months.
Omar Abdullah also questioned as to who was ruling the State after the demise of Mufti Muhammad sayeed. “More than 48 hrs after Mufti Sb’s demise, no formal declaration of Governor rule & no Govt in place so now I have to ask who is governing (sic)IJ” Abdullah tweeted on Saturday afternoon.
The Governor is required to seek ascent from the President of India for issuing notification. The MoS PMO confirmed that Government of India has given ascent to imposition of Governor’s rule.
Meanwhile, Congress president Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to visit Srinagar on Sunday to offer condolences to Mufti’s family. Former chairman of separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference Prof Abdul Ghani was among the visitors who had delivered an emotional speech while paying tributes to late Mufti.