President’s Rule Revoked in J&K, Paving the Way for Omar Abdullah’s Government

President Droupadi Murmu has revoked President’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir, clearing the path for the formation of a new government led by the National Conference (NC) and Congress alliance following the recently concluded Assembly elections. An official gazette notification from the Union Home Ministry confirmed this decision.

The notification stated that, under the powers conferred by the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the previous order regarding the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is revoked immediately before appointing a new Chief Minister.

This move follows a meeting between NC Vice-President Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, during which Abdullah staked his claim to form the new government after the Assembly elections, held for the first time in a decade. The NC-Congress alliance emerged victorious, securing a total of 48 seats, with the NC playing a crucial role, while Congress won six seats. The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly comprises 90 seats and the elections were conducted in three phases.

Omar Abdullah has been elected as the leader of the alliance and will serve as the next Chief Minister.

President’s Rule had been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir on October 31, 2019, following the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, was passed by Parliament on August 5, 2019, the same day Article 370, which granted special status to the state, was abrogated. Prior to this, Central rule had been in place since June 2017 after the resignation of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, when the BJP withdrew its support for the PDP-led government.