J&K Governor advocates for early Assembly elections in the state

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik advocated for the early elections to the Assembly and said that he doesn’t think that a popular government can be formed out of the present assembly.

When asked if a popular government can be formed out the present Assembly, Governor told in an PTI interview that he doesn’t think so and he would not be a part of any shenanigans. Malik said, “I don’t think so. At least, I will not be part of any ‘dhandli’ (shenanigans). I have not been given any such indication either by the prime minister or by any other central leader”.

On the question of holding of fresh elections to the Assembly he said that he wish the elections are held at the earliest. He said, “The decision will be taken by the Centre and the Election Commission. My job is to discharge dual responsibility (of Governor and administrator) which I will continue to do… I wish that elections are held at the earliest”.

Governor Satya Pal Malik favours fresh assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir https://t.co/CgvqNyeSZH

— Financial Express (@FinancialXpress) October 21, 2018

On the matter of Article 35A he said that his administration will request to Supreme to defer the matter until an elected government is formed in the state.

He said, “We will inform the Supreme Court that we are not an elected government and request that the matter be deferred till an elected government is in place”.

J&K Assembly elections were held in December 2014 and in which PDP secured 28 seats, BJP won 25 seats and NC won 15 seats in 87 seats Assembly. In early 2016 PDP-BJP alliance government was formed. Later in June 2018 BJP pulled out of the alliance with PDP following that Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti resigned and Governor’s rule was imposed in the state.