Omar meets Governor Vohra, seeks early polls in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, June 19

National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday his party would not form the government because they did not have the mandate, instead calling for Governor’s rule and early elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We did not have mandate in 2014 and we do not have mandate in 2018,” Abdullah said after he met Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, hours after the Bharatiya Janata Party decided to pull out of the state government under Peoples Democratic Party’s Mehbooba Mufti.

“I have told the Governor that since no party has the mandate to form government, he will have to impose Governor's rule in the state,” Abdullah said. “We also requested that Governor's rule should not remain imposed for a long period. After all, people have the right to choose their government. Fresh elections should take place. We will accept the mandate of the people.”

Of BJP’s decision, he said it was the timing that surprised him.

“I wish Mehbooba Mufti had gone with some dignity rather than having rug pulled from under her feet,” he said.

The BJP said on Tuesday that it was “untenable” to continue its alliance with the PDP, and blamed the prevailing situation in Kashmir and “ a growing sense of discrimination within the other two regions of the state”.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has sent her resignation letter to the Governor, and has called an emergency party meeting. Agencies