News Brief
Omar Abdullah
The Central government announced on Sunday (13 October) that President’s rule has been lifted in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the appointment of a new Chief Minister.
Omar Abdullah is set to become the Chief Minister as his party National Conference (NC) won 42 seats in the 95-seat assembly, where 90 are elected and five are nominated members.
NC ally Congress won six seats and four Independents have extended support to Abdullah, giving his party a majority of seats. His CMship was announced by his father Farooq Abdullah.
The notification was issued by President Droupadi Murmu exercising of the powers conferred by section 73 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (34 of 2019) read with articles 239 and 239A of the Constitution of India.
President’s rule was initially imposed in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 by then-President Ram Nath Kovind, following six months of Governor's rule after the collapse of the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government in June of that year.
Kovind had signed the proclamation, placing the state under Central rule, as a result of the political crisis. This was the first time since 1996 that Jammu and Kashmir had come under Central rule.
According to the official gazette, President Kovind received a report from then-Governor Satya Pal Malik and, after reviewing it, determined that the President's rule was necessary.