Malik: No dissolution of J&K Assembly

Arun Joshi
Tribune News Service
Jammu, November 15

Governor Satya Pal Malik on Thursday ruled out dissolution of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly anytime soon, saying the House will continue to remain in suspended animation till the time it completes its six-year term or the time is ripe for fresh elections.

In an interview with The Tribune, he said, “Governor’s rule will end on December 19; thereafter, President’s rule will come into force.” The state had come under Governor’s rule on June 20 after Mehbooba Mufti resigned as Chief Minister following withdrawal of support by the BJP.

In J&K, Governor’s rule lasts for six months and on its expiry, it automatically comes under President’s rule when the Governor’s legislative powers (vested in him as per the J&K Constitution) get transferred to Parliament.

On why the House would remain in suspended animation, he said “it is also a sort of political process where MLAs get funds and spend in constituencies. Why should we kill this political process?”

He said the “successful and peaceful municipal polls have lifted the mood of the people and that is turning the situation towards normalcy. Additionally, our focus is on addressing militancy that exists in the mind”.

On the National Conference and PDP finding fault, the Governor said, “I have not said anything about them. I am not defaming Kashmir, it is the deep-rooted corruption in the system that has opened the can of worms. I have not revealed who facilitated loans of crores of rupees for whom, and for what consideration. I know that when I fight corruption, the vested interests would get hurt.”

The Governor also asked: “Why are they talking about Pakistan? The Indo-Pak dialogue is the relationship between two countries, not about them.”

On former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s charge that there was alienation between the Governor and the youth in Kashmir, Malik said, “Omar was a young Chief Minister, why didn’t he go to the youth and bridge the gap? I go to the youth, interact with them and understand their grievances and take steps to redress the same. Why is he not visiting them?” 

The Governor said he did not believe that militancy would be over with the killing of militants. “There is a need for giving them an alternative positive narrative to build their careers and for hope and development. That’s what I am attempting.”