LIVE: BJP pulls out of J-K govt, Omar Abdullah says NC will not stake claim

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday pulled out of its alliance with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it has become impossible to continue in the government in view of the growing radicalism and terrorism in the state.

“It has become untenable for the BJP to continue with the alliance in Jammu and Kashmir,” BJP’s general secretary Ram Madhav at a press conference in Delhi.

He said the decision was taken after consulting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

Below are the live updates:

4.30pm: On the NC’s offer of support to PDP in 2014, Abdullah says, “It was a one-time offer, it expired the day BJP and PDP joined hands.”

Abdullah adds, “We are not celebrating this break up. We are not mourning the demise of democracy in this state.”

4.26pm: “Unfortunate that the BJP didn’t take the PDP into confidence about their decision,” says Omar Abdullah.

“If they (BJP) are citing radicalisation as the reason, they are much responsible as PDP is. Both the parties have pushed the state to this precipice,” says the former chief minister.

4.24pm: “Only the BJP can tell you what compelled them to pull out of the alliance. I am not surprised that the alliance broke down, only the timing of it has surprised me. I was expecting it later in the year, not now,” says Omar Abdullah.

4.22pm: “We have asked for fresh elections and that is what we have asked the governor for. At the earliest, the people should be given the chance to choose a government for themselves,” says Omar Abdullah.

4:20pm: Omar Abdullah addresses a press conference. “I have just come from Raj bhawan where I met the governor. We didn’t have the mandate in the last election, we don’t have it now. We have not approached anyone nor are we going to,” he says.

3:48pm: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah met Governor NN Vohra in Srinagar, reports news agency ANI

3:35am: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee says the PDP-BJP coalition was destined to break as it was an “unholy” alliance. “This was an unholy alliance and it was expected to break from day one. They had betrayed the people of the state and supporters of the respective parties. They sought votes on opposing agendas,” PCC president G A Mir was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

3:20pm: We can only put our heads together and discuss in the party meeting at 4 pm: Rafi Ahmad Mir, PDP spokesperson

3:12pm: No question of forming alliance with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir, says Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad

Whatever has happened is good. People of J&K will get some relief. They (BJP) ruined Kashmir & have now pulled out, maximum number of civilian & army men died during these 3 years. That question does not arise (on forming alliance with PDP): GN Azad, Congress pic.twitter.com/rcfVelHdnT

— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2018

3:09pm: PDP ledaer Naeem Akhtar says Mehbooba Mufti has submitted her resignation to the chief minister.

3:06pm: We tried our best to run the govt with BJP. This had to happen. This is a surprise for us because we did not have any indication about their decision: Rafi Ahmad Mir, PDP spokesperson tells news agency ANI

3:00pm: J-K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to resign shortly after BJP pulls out of alliance govt, says PDP

2:57pm: Governor rule should be imposed to improve situation in the state: Madhav

2:55pm: “Keeping in mind that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and in order to control the prevailing situation in the state, we have decided that the reins of power in the state be handed over to the governor,” Madhav says.

2:54pm:“Fundamental rights of people in Kashmir are under threat. Even press freedom and freedom of speech is at risk,” says Madhav.