Calls Satya Pal Malik ‘BJP’s Governor’ For Skipping Official Martyrs Day Function
Asif Iqbal
Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that assembly elections will be held, sooner or later, in the state.
Talking to reporters after paying tributes to 13 July 1931, Farooq also governor Satya pal Malik was expected to be present at Martyrs Graveyard here “being BJP’s governor.”
“Why not? Sooner or later, elections will be held,” Farooq, who is also National Conference’s parliamentarian from Srinagar seat, told reporters on the sidelines of the function, according to GNS.
Responding to question whether skipping of official function by Governor Satya Pal Malik tantamount to disrespect to the 22 martyrs of 13 July 1931, Farooq said: “He is BJP’s governor and how can he come here.
On Wednesday last, the Government of India evaded direct response to delay in holding assembly elections in state.
Responding to a question by senior congress leader and former Chief Minister of the state, Ghulam Nabi Azad, minister of state in the ministry of Home Affairs, G. Kishan Reddy said Election Commission of India has not yet fixed the dates.
He responded in affirmative to the question whether it was a fact that on 3rd January this year, the then Home Minister (Rajnath Singh) had stated in the Rajya Sabha that the Central Government was ready to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly along with Lok Sabha Elections, if Election Commission desires so
“The superintendence, direction and control of conducting elections to Parliament and State Legislatures are vested with the Election Commission of India,” Reddy said responding to the question on the reasons for not holding the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections along with Lok Sabha elections and when does Government plan to hold polls.
The Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir was imposed initially on June 20, 2018, and the State Assembly was kept in suspended animation after the state plunged into a political crisis when the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government was reduced to minority following withdrawal of support by the 25-member BJP in the state.
Governor on November 21, 2018, dissolved the 87-member state assembly after the PDP, supported by the Congress and their arch-rivals National Conference, had staked claim to form the government.
Simultaneously, the two-member People’s Conference led by Sajjad Lone had also staked claim to form a government with 25 members of the BJP and other 18 unknown members.
The governor had dissolved the assembly citing horse-trading and lack of stability to form a government as the reasons. (GNS)
