Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party Party Chief Mehbooba Mufti has faxed a letter to Raj Bhawan, staking claim for government formation in coalition with Congress and National Conference.
Mehbooba has faxed a letter to Raj Bhawan for the formation of the government, claiming support of 56 MLA.
“As you are aware that Peoples Democratic Party is the largest party in the State assembly having a strength of 29. You might have gathered from the media reports that the Congress and National Conference have also decided to extend support to our party to form a government in the State. National Conference has a strength of 15 and the Congress 12. That takes our collective strength to 56,” reads the letter..
“Since I am presently in Srinagar, it would not be possible for me to call on you immediately and this is to keep you informed that we would be seeking your convenience shortly to stake the claim for forming the government in the State.”
The 87-member state Assembly has 28 MLAs of the PDP, 26 of the BJP, 15 of the NC, 12 of Congress, 2 of People’s Conference and 4 independents.
Rebels of the PDP supported by Sajad Lone’s Peoples Conference have been speaking of a government formation in the J&K with the support of the BJP ever since Governor’s rule was imposed. However, PDP dissidents including former Minister Imran Ansari have not been able to muster sufficient numbers to stake claim on government formation.
As per the constitutional provisions, the state will have to be placed under President’s rule next month unless the Governor is convinced that a viable government can be formed.
