Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Oct 25:-
Rebuking the Central Government for unconstitutionally keeping the J&K Assembly in suspended animation for over 4 months following the collapse of BJP-PDP combine in the state, a strong battalion of Panther activists spearheaded by Mr. Harsh Dev Singh Chairman JKNPP and other leaders held a massive protest demonstration at Exhibition Ground Jammu today. While torching the effigy of GoI and raising slogans, the agitated protesters urged upon the Governor to immediately dissolve the State Assembly and pave way for the fresh elections in the larger interest of the democracy.
Addressing the galaxy of media, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh disclosed that following the breakdown of BJP-PDP alliance the Governor Rule had been imposed in the State on June 19th. He said that all the major political parties including the Congress, BJP, PDP and National Conference had conveyed their inability to form the popular government in the State due to lack of numerical strength.
“No plausible combination of political parties or alliance could come forth to claim the magic figure of 45 required for absolute majority. As such, the Governor should act in conformity with the Parliamentary precedents and the mandate of constitution by immediately recommending the dissolution of the Assembly to pave way for the fresh elections”, urged Harsh. Accusing the BJP for having a reputation of forging dirty alliances by offering enticements and other unethical means, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that the J&K Assembly was being kept under prolonged suspended animation at the behest of GoI for its vested political interests. He further reckoned that in the prevalent situation of political uncertainty, the grant of all perks, amenities, emoluments and CDF to members of suspended Assembly whose rights and privileges stood suspended during the period defied all logic and rationale.
Referring to the reply provided by the Governor’s Secretariat in respect of the RTI filed by him, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh disclosed that the information read that only three days were given by the Governor to various political parties in 2008 after the fall of GN Azad govt to take decision with regard to formation of govt. The reply stated that the GN Azad govt fell on 7th July and the then governor explored the formation of the govt by other parties.
And within a period of three days, the Governor recorded his satisfaction that none of the parties was interested to form the govt and the Assembly was accordingly dissolved on 10th July, 2018, said Harsh pointing towards the details provided to him in the RTI reply.
He further divulged that the Governor has also recorded his satisfaction that where none of the parties was interested to form the govt following the collapse of the erstwhile coalition but still the State Assembly was kept in suspended state.
“If the suspended Assembly was dissolved within 3 days in 2008, why it has been allowed to remain in suspension for more than 4 months in identical situation now?”, questioned Harsh. Accusing the central govt of having held the constitution and democracy as hostage, Mr. Singh asked the Governor to immediately dissolve the Assembly to pave way for the fresh elections.
Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion included Rajesh Padgotra, Gagan Partap Singh, Rajiv Mahajan, Dr. Ripu Daman, Khajoor Singh, Nirmal Kishore, Rampaul Sharma, Rashpaul Singh, Udhayveer Singh, Bachan Dass, Shankaar Singh Sanju, Bhanu Partap Singh, Rohit Sharma, Sahil Sharma, Joginder Singh, Naresh Kumar, Jeevan Sharma besides others.
