Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has dissolved the state assembly as PDP supremo and former chief minister of the state and J&K's People's Conference leader Sajad Lone staked claim to form government in the state.
The governor dissolved the state assembly under the relevant provisions in Jammu and Kashmir constitution.
(Photo: Twitter | ANI)
Sajad Lone claimed that he has the support of 26 BJP MLAs and 18 others, which is above the majority mark of 44, Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti said she has the support of the Congress and the National Conference, taking their collective total to 56.
On Wednesday evening, PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti staked claim to form government in Jammu and Kashmir with the help of Congress, National Conference.
In her letter to Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, Mufti said: “As you are aware, the 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 have also decided to extend support to our party to form a government in the State. That takes our collective strength to 56. Since I am presently in Srinagar, it would not be possible for me to call on you immediately and this is to keep you informed that we would be seeking your convenience shortly to stake the claim for forming the government in the State”.
Here is Mehbooba Mufti's letter to Jammu and Kashmir Governor.
(Photo: Twitter | ANI)
Mufti in a tweet said that she has been trying to send this letter to Raj Bhavan in Jammu. “Strangely the fax is not received. Tried to contact HE Governor on phone. Not available. Hope you see it @jandkgovernor”, she wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.com
In another tweet, she said, “sending the letter also by mail”.
Mehbooba Mufti also said, “The BJP had started engineering defections in other parties for furtherance of its political motives…we three parties have decided to come together setting aside our differences on some issues for protecting Article 35A and stopping horse-trading amid tinkering with laws concerning political identity of J&K.”
Also Read: PDP, NC, Congress alliance in making in J&K to checkmate BJP: sources
Asked about the choice of chief minister, Mufti told local news agency KNS, “PDP will discuss the issue with its legislators, senior leaders and even grass-root level workers and name the candidate with consensus for the position of Chief Minister. It will take some time.”
Minutes after Mehbooba Mufti staked claim to form government in Jammu and Kashmir, People's Conference leader Sajad Lone also staked claim to form government in the state with the help of 26-member BJP.
