Jammu and Kashmir Governor dissolves Assembly after Mufti, Sajjad Lone stake claims

Barely minutes after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti confirmed the grand alliance with the National Conference (NC) and the Congress, Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday dissolved the state assembly under the relevant provisions in Jammu and Kashmir constitution, according to reports. Taking to Twitter, Mufti on Wednesday announced the alliance with the two mainstream political parties, saying the PDP is faxing a letter to Governor Satya Pal Malik with the support of 56 candidates in the 87-member house. According to reports, PDP will lead the grand alliance in a bid to form the next government in the Governor-ruled state. The purpose behind this far-reaching realignment of political forces is to defend the Article 35A in the Supreme Court in January 2019. While the PDP has 29 seats in the state Assembly, the National Conference and the Congress have 15 and 12 respectively.

Read | Jammu and Kashmir: Sajjad Lone stakes claim to form government with BJP support to counter Mehbooba's grand alliance

Jammu and Kashmir has been under Governor's rule from the last few months which cannot be extended after it completes its six-month term on December 19. The unprecedented movement came a day after senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig threw his weight behind BJP ally Sajad Lone on Tuesday. The previous government headed by the Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti fell when its partner BJP pulled out of the ruling coalition on June 16.

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