President’s rule lifted in Jammu and Kashmir, paving the way for the formation of the Omar Abdullah-led government. Abdullah announced that the new National Conference-Congress coalition government will be sworn in on either Tuesday or Wednesday. The revocation of President’s rule marks a significant political shift in the region.
The Union Home Ministry issued a gazette notification on Sunday, officially lifting President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir, paving the way for the formation of the new National Conference-Congress government led by Omar Abdullah.
The notification, signed by President Droupadi Murmu, stated,
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 73 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (34 of 2019) read with Articles 239 and 239A of the Constitution of India, the order dated the 31st October, 2019 in relation to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall stand revoked immediately before the appointment of the chief minister under Section 54 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.”
President’s rule initially imposed in Jammu and Kashmir on October 31, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370. Before this, Central rule had been in effect since June 2017, when former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti resigned after the BJP withdrew its support, bringing the state under Governor’s rule for six months, which was subsequently extended multiple times with Parliament’s approval.
The National Conference-Congress alliance recently secured victory in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections and is poised to form the new government. Omar Abdullah met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday to request a date for his swearing-in ceremony, which Abdullah mentioned is likely to take place on October 15 or 16 due to pending administrative processes.
Discussing his priorities, Abdullah said,
“The first item on the new government’s agenda is to seek the restoration of statehood. We are already requesting that statehood must be restored so that the state can work and we can get on with our job.”
The BJP is scheduled to hold its legislative party meeting next week to select the Leader of the Opposition for the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The party secured 29 seats in Jammu during the recent elections.
The individual chosen as the BJP’s legislative party leader will also assume the role of Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly. Senior BJP leaders Tarun Chugh and Prahlad Joshi have been appointed as observers for the meeting.
There is growing speculation that the party may decide between Sunil Kumar Sharma, the MLA from Padder Nagseni, and Devinder Rana, the MLA from Nagrota, for the position.
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