New government or early elections in Jammu and Kashmir? Governor is the key

NEW DELHI: In an interesting development in the political battle of Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP, NC and the Congress have come together to form an alliance to checkmate the BJP in the state.

While the grand alliance might put the BJP and Sajad Lone's People's Conference on the backfoot in the state, however, it is Governor Satya Pal Malik who holds the key to the government formation.

The PDP also sent a letter to the Governor on Wednesday to stake claim to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir.


According to sources, in wake of the fresh political activities, Governor Satya Pal Malik has been called to Delhi by the BJP leadership to discuss the possible scenarios. It is also likely that Governor Malik may advice the dissolution of the assembly.

However, in both the situations - government formation or fresh elections if assembly is dissolved - it will be a victory for the two main regional parties.

The assembly is in suspended animation since imposition of Governor's rule on June 19.

So, what happens if the Jammu and Kashmir assembly is dissolved by the Governor at this point? If the assembly is dissolved, it will pave way for early elections in the state, which are otherwise scheduled to be held in 2020.

While both the scenarios - a new government by the grand alliance of PDP, NC and Congress and fresh elections - are a win-win for the PDP and NC, it will prove to be a setback for the BJP and Sajad Lone's PC, that have been trying hard to come up with a third front in the state.

Both the PDP and NC don't have much to lose even if the assembly is dissolved as it will stop the alleged "horse-trading" of their party members by the BJP-backed People's Conference.

After the BJP broke the alliance with PDP in June, at least 3 of its members rebelled against the leadership and sided with Sajad Lone, and more members were likely to desert the party. Even the NC had accused the BJP of horse-trading to form the government.

After the June 19 pull-out, Lone is understood to have been approaching disgruntled PDP leaders for forming an alliance with the BJP, the sources said. The PC has only two MLAs.

The PC chief was also successful in breaking away NC's chief spokesman Junaid Muttu, who contested the urban local body elections and became the mayor of Srinagar.

Senior PDP leader and Amira MLA Kadal Altaf Bukhari is set to lead the government, if the PDP-NC alliance comes to fruition, according to sources.

The PDP has 28 MLAs, followed by NC's 15 and and the Congress' 12. The three parties together will have majority in the 87-member House. The BJP is the second largest party in the state with 25 members.