President's rule to be imposed in J&K from midnight
Jammu & Kashmir will be placed under President's rule from 20 December, for the first time in 22 years. President Ram Nath Kovind issued a proclamation for imposing central rule from midnight following the expiry of the six-month period of the Governor's rule in J&K today. The state plunged into a political crisis in June after the PDP-BJP coalition government collapsed. Here's more.
Governor's rule ended on December 19
Here's the proclamation signed by President Kovind
Assembly powers exercisable by or under authority of Parliament
The proclamation issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan declared that the J&K State Assembly's powers "shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament." The Governor's rule, which ended today, was imposed in June after the BJP withdrew support to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state led by Mehbooba Mufti. After BJP pulled out of the alliance, Mufti resigned as the CM.
Union Cabinet approved Governor's proposal to impose President rule
J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik had earlier sent a report to the Center, recommending the imposition of President's rule in the state. PM Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet had taken the decision on imposing President's rule on 17 December.
President's rule can be re-imposed if elections are not held
As Jammu & Kashmir follows a separate Constitution, the six-month Governor rule is first imposed under Article 92. After the expiry of the Governor's rule, the State Legislative Assembly is dissolved after which the President's rule is imposed for six months. However, if state elections are not held after the expiry of the President's rule, it can be re-imposed for six months again.
Assembly dissolved after Mehbooba, Lone stake claim to form government
On 21 November, J&K Governor Malik dissolved the State Assembly after PDP chief, Mufti, and People's Conference leader, Sajad Lone, staked claim to form the government. He took the decision citing the "impossibility of forming a stable government by the coming together of political parties with opposing political ideologies." PDP claimed it had the support of Congress while Lone said he had BJP's support.
