The National Conference favoured the immediate dissolution of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly during an all-party meeting with Governor NN Vohra on Friday evening, PTI reported. The Peoples Democratic Party was not in favour, while the Bharatiya Janata Party remained silent on the matter, said Harsh Dev Singh of the Panthers Party, which also wants the Assembly to be dissolved.
Vohra had called the all-party meeting in Srinagar to discuss the situation in the state after governor’s rule was implemented on Wednesday. This followed the BJP breaking its alliance with the PDP on Tuesday, forcing Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to resign.
During the meeting, the National Conference urged Vohra to take some measures to build confidence among citizens, crack down on corruption and clean the governance system. The party suggested that the atmosphere be made conducive for early elections in the state. Party Vice President Omar Abdullah also sought zero-tolerance towards violations of human rights, unidentified officials told PTI.
State Congress chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir said that his party favoured fresh elections, but left the decision on the fate of the Assembly to the governor. The Assembly is in suspended animation currently.
Vohra directed that biometric attendance system be made mandatory for all government employees in the state, ANI reported. He also reviewed the security preparations for the Amarnath Yatra.
Omar Abdullah had earlier called the breakup of the PDP-BJP alliance a brilliant fixed match, and accused the two parties of scripting their parting of ways to perfection. The former chief minister had called for immediate dissolution of the state assembly and said that keeping it in suspended animation encourages brokers and horse-trading.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!