Jammu/Srinagar: Clearing decks for formation of new Government, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office has recommended revocation of Central rule in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since the Assembly elections have been completed and NC leader Omar Abdullah has staked claim to form new Government submitting letters of support of the MLAs crossing majority mark.
Daily Excelsior quoted official sources as saying that since Omar Abdullah yesterday met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha staking claim to Government formation with support of Congress and others at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office has recommended revocation of Central rule in Jammu and Kashmir paving the way for formation of newly elected Government in the Union Territory, the first after revocation of Article 370 in the erstwhile State of J&K.
“Now there are two ways to revoke the Central rule in Jammu and Kashmir which is major legal process before swearing-in ceremony of National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, who has been elected as NC Legislature Party leader, as the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministry, is held,’’ the sources pointed out.
As per the first possibility, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will endorse the Lieutenant Governor’s recommendation for revocation of the Central rule to President Droupadi Murmu. Acting on the Cabinet advice, the President will revoke the Central rule in Jammu and Kashmir.
Secondly, the Prime Minister can recommend revocation of Central rule in J&K to the President. In this case, the Cabinet can endorse the recommendation later.
“All such processes are likely to be completed during next two days,’’ the sources said, adding the oath ceremony of Omar Abdullah as the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministry is expected to take place on Wednesday.
The legal formalities, as per the sources, cropped up as new Government is being formed in Jammu and Kashmir after more than six years. Moreover, this is the first Assembly election in J&K after its conversion from the State to the Union Territory.
The BJP had withdrawn support to Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition Government on June 19, 2018 leading to imposition of the President’s rule. The Legislative Assembly was initially kept under suspended animation but was dissolved in November the same year.
Since then, Jammu and Kashmir has been under the Central rule.
Process for the Assembly elections was completed on October 10 with notification of all 90 MLAs elected to the Legislative Assembly.
National Conference has emerged single largest party with 42 MLAs while its alliance partners Congress and CPM have won six and one seat respectively taking total to 49. Five MLAs elected as Independent candidates in Jammu division have also extended their support to the National Conference taking the tally of NC supporters to 47 and total to 54.
The BJP won second highest number of seats of 29, all in Jammu division.
