President rule officially revoked in J&K, ready to form Government

A New Chapter for Jammu and Kashmir: President’s Rule Lifted

After a significant period of political uncertainty, authorities have officially lifted President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir. This important decision marks a pivotal moment for the union territory and follows the region’s first elections since 2014. Leaders imposed the rule after the PDP–BJP alliance collapsed on June 19, 2018.

Moreover, in August 2019, the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status under Article 370 of the Constitution, reclassifying it as a Union Territory.

Understanding the Union Territory Status

Under this new arrangement, an elected government will have limited powers. Consequently, most authority will still rest with the central government. This means that while local governance can resume, significant decisions will continue to be influenced by the Centre.

Election Results Overview

The recent elections brought a notable victory for the National Conference (NC), which secured 42 seats. In contrast, the Congress party won only six seats—five in Kashmir and one in Jammu.

Additionally, the Congress entered a pre-poll alliance with the NC, which received support from four independent MLAs and one from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The BJP emerged as the second-largest party, capturing 29 seats.

Omar Abdullah’s Return

Omar Abdullah is now set to reclaim the Chief Minister’s office. Recently, he met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and presented letters of support from coalition partners, including the Congress. Abdullah expressed optimism that the oath-taking ceremony could occur on Wednesday.

Furthermore, party members unanimously elected him as the leader of the NC Legislature Party, paving the way for his second term. Abdullah previously served as Chief Minister from 2009 to 2014, when Jammu and Kashmir functioned as a full-fledged state under an NC–Congress coalition.

The Transition Process

A spokesperson for the Raj Bhavan confirmed the formalities of this transition. In this context, Abdullah handed over the necessary letters of support from coalition parties to the Lieutenant Governor.

“Shri Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), met with Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan today. He submitted a letter from Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah confirming his election as Leader of the JKNC Legislature Party. Abdullah also provided letters of support from the INC, CPI(M), AAP, and independent members to the Lieutenant Governor,” the spokesperson stated.

Despite his hopes for a swift swearing-in ceremony, Abdullah acknowledged the complexities due to ongoing central rule.

“This is not a situation where one elected government is replacing another. We are under central rule. The LG needs to prepare and send documents to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. These will then go to the Home Ministry for processing before returning,” he explained.

Abdullah added, “We have been informed that this could take at least 2-3 days. However, I hope the oath ceremony can be held on Wednesday if the process is expedited.”

Looking Ahead

As Jammu and Kashmir enters this new phase of governance, the coming days will prove crucial. Establishing stability and addressing challenges will be essential. Ultimately, lifting President’s rule and returning to a locally elected government represent a significant shift in the region’s political dynamics.