After a prolonged period of central governance, President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir has been officially lifted, paving the way for the formation of a new government led by Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC). The central rule was initially imposed on October 31, 2019, following the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The recent assembly elections, held after a decade-long hiatus, saw the National Conference emerge as the dominant party, securing 42 seats, while its pre-poll ally, the Congress, won six seats. With the support of five independent candidates and an AAP MLA, the NC-Congress alliance now holds a total of 55 seats in the 90-member assembly. This significant electoral victory has set the stage for Omar Abdullah’s second term as Chief Minister, having previously served from 2009 to 2014.
President Droupadi Murmu’s notification emphasized that the lifting of central rule enables the appointment of a chief minister under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. In his first address following this announcement, Abdullah expressed gratitude for the people’s mandate and underscored the need to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, stating, “Our priority will be to unite Jammu and Kashmir and end the hatred spread during the election”.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has assured that the new government will focus on addressing local issues and enhancing governance in the Union Territory. The assembly’s reconvening allows elected representatives to engage in legislative discussions and address pressing matters concerning the region.