Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has sent a report to the central government recommending imposition of President’s rule in the state after the expiry of six-month Governor’s rule there on December 19. The Governor’s rule was imposed in the State on June 20 after BJP withdrew its support leading to fall of Mehbooba Mufti government.
The Governor’s rule was imposed by the then Governor NN Vohra who was replaced by Satya Pal Malik on August 23. Governor Malik had dissolved the legislative assembly on November 21 following claims and counter-claims by the political parties to form the government in the state.
The state plunged into a political crisis in June this year after the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government was reduced to minority following withdrawal of support by the 25-member BJP in the state. In such cases, since the state has a separate Constitution, six months of governor’s rule is compulsory under Article 92 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution, under which all the legislature powers are vested with the governor.
The governor has to dissolve the Legislative Assembly after the tenure of six months is over and the state will directly come under the President’s rule for following six months during which elections have to be declared in the state. In case the elections are not declared, President Rule will be can be extended by another six months.