JAMMU: The President’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir has been officially revoked, clearing the way for the formation of a new government led by the National Conference’s Omar Abdullah. This move comes after the recent elections, where the National Conference emerged as the largest party with 42 seats, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 29 seats. The elections saw a strong voter turnout of 63.88 per cent , signalling the region’s readiness for democratic governance after nearly five years of direct central control.
Centre issues order for revoking President’s rule in J&K immediately before the CM (Omar Abdullah) is appointed. pic.twitter.com/Qce3HBM1Ij
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) October 13, 2024
Why Was the President’s Rule Imposed in Jammu and Kashmir?
President’s Rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir on October 31, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, which led to the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This decision came after the collapse of the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government in June 2018, when the BJP withdrew support from the BJP-PDP alliance. The region was initially placed under ‘Governor’s Rule’ for six months, as per Section 92 of the state constitution.
However, when the Governor’s Rule period expired, the central government extended its control by imposing President’s Rule. This measure allowed the Centre to govern Jammu and Kashmir directly, with the Legislative Assembly suspended until conditions were deemed appropriate for elections. The move also ensured that there was no constitutional vacuum in the Union Territory during this transitional phase.
Why Has President’s Rule Been Revoked Now?
The revocation of President’s Rule is a procedural necessity to allow the newly elected government to take office and restore democratic governance in the region. During President’s Rule, several provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which govern the functioning of the Legislative Assembly, were suspended. Now that the elections have been conducted and Omar Abdullah is set to become the Chief Minister, these provisions must be reinstated for the Legislative Assembly to operate.
According to official sources, President Droupadi Murmu has issued a notification to formally revoke the 2019 proclamation of President’s Rule. “The proclamation of President’s Rule needs to be revoked to allow the elected government to take oath,” an official stated. Without this step, the new government cannot assume its responsibilities or have a functioning Legislative Assembly.
The Process of Revocation
The revocation of President’s Rule required approval from the Union Cabinet. After the Cabinet’s nod, President Murmu issued the necessary notification to lift the central administration’s control over Jammu and Kashmir. This revocation is vital to allow the swearing-in of the new government, which is likely to take place on October 17, 2024
The 2019 proclamation under Section 73 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act was designed to prevent a constitutional vacuum in the region, which was left without an operational Legislative Assembly following the abrogation of Article 370. Now, with an elected government in place, the conditions for lifting central control have been met.
What’s Next for Jammu and Kashmir?
The revocation of President’s Rule is a major milestone for Jammu and Kashmir, signaling the restoration of democratic processes after nearly five years of central governance. Omar Abdullah, leader of the National Conference, is set to take the reins as Chief Minister, marking a new chapter in the region’s political landscape. Abdullah, who submitted letters of support from Congress and independent legislators, met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to formally stake his claim claim for government formation.
This will be the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of the former state into two Union Territories.
The 90 seats in the region were contested in a three-phase election, with the results announced on October 8. The NC-Congress alliance secured 48 seats, with the NC leading the alliance to victory, as the Congress won only six seats.
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