Keeping the window open for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor Satya Pal Malik has said he will not dissolve the Assembly in December.
“There is no issue with the Assembly. I don’t want to unnecessarily tinker with it. There is a reason for it. The elected people are still members of legislative assembly. They have been provided with funds to serve the people. So, even though there is not an elected government in place, the political process is going on, as the process includes political activity as well. Keeping this in mind, the Assembly will not be dissolved,” Mr. Malik told a local newspaper, Greater Kashmir , in an interview on Friday.
This assumes significance after Bharatiya Janata Party State secretary Ashok Koul said his party was ready to form the government “if the required number of 19 MLAs come to us.”
The Governor’s rule will complete six months in Kashmir in the third week of December.
Suspended animation
Governor Malik could have dissolved the Assembly, which was put in a suspended animation as per the constitutional requirement by then Governor N.N. Vohra.
The BJP decided to pull out of the ruling alliance with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on June 19, paving the way for Governor’s rule in the troubled State.
With the Centre failing to hold elections within the stipulated six months, Mr. Malik said, “Yes, of course, J&K is heading towards President’s rule. It is a normal legal procedure according to the Constitution.”
The Governor said both the regional parties, the National Conference and the PDP boycotted “but a lot of their people did contest the elections.” He invited the regional parties to participate in the panchayat polls.
