National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the Jammu and Kashmir legislature should be immediately dissolved and fresh elections conducted. His statement came a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party pulled out of the coalition with the Peoples Democratic Party, and Mehbooba Mufti resigned as the chief minister. Governor’s rule has been imposed in the state.
However, BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta said he did not think a new government would be formed anytime soon. “Uncertainties are there, but we are working on something and people will get to know about it,” Gupta told ANI.
Criticising this statement, Abdullah said, “What do you mean by ‘we are working on something’?”
“The only ‘something’ would be to break up other parties and make up the numbers to form a BJP government,” he added. “Has the former deputy chief minister inadvertently spilled the beans?”
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) in Chhattisgarh BVR Subramanyam on Wednesday was posted to Jammu and Kashmir. He is likely to be appointed as the chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir government, replacing incumbent BB Vyas, PTI reported, quoting unidentified officials. Vyas may reportedly be appointed as an advisor to Vohra.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP calls for ‘all-out war’ against militants
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Sunil Sethi said that remaining in an alliance with the PDP would have been “against national interest”, Greater Kashmir reported. He claimed that the BJP pulling out of the government was an indication that it was not greedy for power.
Sethi claimed that the time had come for “an all-out war against the militants and their supporters”.
Police chief says operations will be intensified
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Shesh Paul Vaid said on Wednesday that the security forces would intensify operations against militants in the coming days, PTI reported. He said that extremism had increased when India announced a halt on operations during the month of Ramzan.
Vaid added that the imposition of Governor’s Rule in the state would make it “much easier to work” for the security forces. “I am sure things should work very effectively and it will have an impact on the security situation of the Valley.”
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