Jammu and Kashmir: Governor Satya Pal Malik favors fresh election in the valley amid the civic body polls results

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has favored a fresh election in the state, while the civic body polls just got concluded. He said that no popular government can be made out of the present Assembly which got dissolved when BJP-PDP alliance collapsed in June this year.

The state has been under Governor's rule since Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti resigned as Chief Minister in June following the withdrawal of support by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to her government.

When asked if a popular government can still be made and out of the present Assembly, Governor Malik replied, “I don't think so. At least, I will not be part of any 'dhandli' (shenanigans). I have not been given any such indication either by the prime minister or by any other central leader.”

The tenure of the present Assembly ends in December 2020, and Governor was asked about holding fresh elections and he said he wishes that the elections are held sooner than later.

The decision will be taken by the Centre and the Election Commission. My job is to discharge dual responsibility (of Governor and administrator) which I will continue to do... I wish that elections are held at the earliest," he said.

On the issue of contentious Article 35A, Satya Malik said that “We will inform the Supreme Court that we are not an elected government and request that the matter be deferred till an elected government is in place.”

The Supreme Court, in its August 31 order, has directed that the matter be listed in the second week of January next year.

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