Asserting that his administration wants President’s rule to end as soon as possible Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday said that however, the final call to hold Assembly election in the state will be taken by Election Commission (EC).
‘The decision to hold Assembly elections in the state will be taken by the EC’. Mr Malik told reporters after inaugurating the second phase of Jahangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover in Srinagar.
Answering to a question, that some politicians were alleging that few officials within his administration were not keen on transfer of power to an elected government in the state, the Governor said there was nothing like this in his notice.
‘We want that a government is elected in the state as soon as possible’, he said.
However, the Governor refused to answer the questions about alleged malpractice in EVMs and exit poll results.
Jammu and Kashmir was placed under Governor’s Rule on June 19, 2018 after the PDP-BJP coalition government dissolved following withdrawal of support by the saffron party from the alliance.
However, the state Assembly was kept in suspended animation to allow possibility of any new combination of parties to form a government in the state.
Surprisingly, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti claimed to form a government on November 21, 2018, with the support by the National Conference and the Congress. But, within minutes, People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone, who had just two MLAs, also staked claim for government formation.
The Governor decided to dissolve the Assembly, stating that he wants to prevent horse-trading.
After the end of six months period of Governor’s rule, the state was brought under President’s rule on December 19, 2018.
The President’s rule will have to be extended on June 19 as Assembly elections could not be held in the state, despite demand by all political parties.
