Jammu and Kashmir marked the 7th anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A under heavy security across the Valley.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated August 5 as a landmark in Jammu and Kashmir's integration and development, opposition parties including the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) observed the day as a "Black Day", demanding the restoration of statehood and special constitutional status.

Security was tightened across Srinagar, with checkpoints reinforced and restrictions imposed to prevent protests. Opposition leaders accused authorities of denying them the democratic right to demonstrate, while BJP leaders highlighted improvements in security, tourism, and economic activity since 2019.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described August 5, 2019, as the beginning of a transformative chapter for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, emphasizing peace, prosperity, and development over the past seven years.


Article 370 Anniversary: BJP Celebrates, Opposition Observes Black Day

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday (Dec 26) expressed serious concern over the condition of undertrial prisoners from Kashmir who have been lodged in jails outside the Union Territory for several years, alleging neglect by both the administration and the judiciary.&nbsp;Mufti said many of the families of these undertrials lack the financial means to travel long distances to meet their relatives or pursue legal remedies. “These people are undertrials, not convicts. Some of them have been in jail for five to six years without trial,” she said, adding that such treatment violates basic legal principles.&nbsp;She noted that courts had acknowledged the prisoners’ status as undertrials but failed to provide relief. According to Mufti, the High Court dismissed a petition seeking intervention and instead asked the affected individuals to file cases themselves. “How will they do it when they don’t even have the resources to reach the courts?” she asked.&nbsp;Mufti claimed that around 1,260 people from Kashmir are currently lodged in various jails, many of whom remain unidentified and unsupported. While prominent detainees receive attention, she said, poorer prisoners are left without legal or social assistance.&nbsp;The PDP chief also expressed disappointment that the issue was not raised in Parliament, stating that information sought from the administration and police regarding the detainees was not provided. She said the elected government could have compiled and shared these details, and its MPs could have raised the issue in the Parliament.&nbsp;Responding to criticism that she was politicising the matter, Mufti said such allegations were “ironic,” stressing that her concern stems from firsthand knowledge of the suffering endured by affected families. “I will not let this issue rest,” she said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-launches-strikes-against-hezbollah-targets-in-lebanon-1766739455593">Israel launches strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon</a>&nbsp;Mufti appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his government, and Members of Parliament from Jammu and Kashmir, including Ruhullah Mehdi, to intervene. She argued that not all detainees pose security risks and that many could be shifted back to jails within Kashmir.&nbsp;Expressing disillusionment with the judiciary, Mufti said public faith had been shaken but added that efforts would continue. “We will take up this case again and will not abandon these people,” she said, urging the Chief Minister to personally step in.

Mufti claimed that around 1,260 people from Kashmir are currently lodged in various jails, many of whom remain unidentified and unsupported.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday (Dec 26) expressed serious concern over the condition of undertrial prisoners from Kashmir who have been lodged in jails outside the Union Territory for several years, alleging neglect by both the administration and the judiciary. Mufti said many of the families of these undertrials lack the financial means to travel long distances to meet their relatives or pursue legal remedies. “These people are undertrials, not convicts. Some of them have been in jail for five to six years without trial,” she said, adding that such treatment violates basic legal principles. She noted that courts had acknowledged the prisoners’ status as undertrials but failed to provide relief. According to Mufti, the High Court dismissed a petition seeking intervention and instead asked the affected individuals to file cases themselves. “How will they do it when they don’t even have the resources to reach the courts?” she asked. Mufti claimed that around 1,260 people from Kashmir are currently lodged in various jails, many of whom remain unidentified and unsupported. While prominent detainees receive attention, she said, poorer prisoners are left without legal or social assistance. The PDP chief also expressed disappointment that the issue was not raised in Parliament, stating that information sought from the administration and police regarding the detainees was not provided. She said the elected government could have compiled and shared these details, and its MPs could have raised the issue in the Parliament. Responding to criticism that she was politicising the matter, Mufti said such allegations were “ironic,” stressing that her concern stems from firsthand knowledge of the suffering endured by affected families. “I will not let this issue rest,” she said. Also Read: Israel launches strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon Mufti appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his government, and Members of Parliament from Jammu and Kashmir, including Ruhullah Mehdi, to intervene. She argued that not all detainees pose security risks and that many could be shifted back to jails within Kashmir. Expressing disillusionment with the judiciary, Mufti said public faith had been shaken but added that efforts would continue. “We will take up this case again and will not abandon these people,” she said, urging the Chief Minister to personally step in.

Mufti claimed that around 1,260 people from Kashmir are currently lodged in various jails, many of whom remain unidentified and unsupported.

Mehbooba Mufti raises concern over undertrials lodged outside Kashmir

In a significant political twist,&nbsp;Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday (August 24) said that her party will give unconditional support to the National Conference (NC) and Congress's pre-poll alliance&nbsp;if both these parties accept PDP's manifesto.&nbsp;

It was during the release of the party manifesto&nbsp;for the upcoming assembly elections that Mufti said that the party is not vying for seats but is ready to back the alliance if it aligns with their agenda, which prominently includes addressing the long-standing Kashmir issue.&nbsp;

Mufti while reading out details from the manifesto said that "Power and seats don't matter for the PDP." Her party's primary concern is the resolution of critical issues facing the region.

"We will not fight for the seats but will completely support the alliance if they agree to follow our agenda, which includes the resolution of the Kashmir issue.&nbsp;Power and seats don't matter for PDP, but in case the party's agenda is accepted, we will extend support to the alliance in Jammu and Kashmir."

"The traditional routes will be opened, free 200 units of electricity will be provided, the fight over the resolution of the Kashmir issue will be taken forward and the dialogue process to be started if PDP is elected to power,"&nbsp;said the PDP president.&nbsp;

The NC-Congress alliance, which also includes the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)), has already announced plans to contest all 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir. While seat-sharing agreements have largely been finalised, discussions continue over certain contentious constituencies where candidates from both parties are eager to compete.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-unveils-new-pension-scheme-for-govt-employees-here-are-its-key-features-753011">India unveils new pension scheme for government employees; here are its key features</a>

Meanwhile, Apni Party president Syed Altaf Bukhari revealed that his party intends to field candidates on 60 seats, 40 in Kashmir and 20 in Jammu, during the upcoming assembly elections.&nbsp;

"There won't be any alliance with anyone, and we did bear the brunt in the Lok Sabha elections. We will contest the assembly polls on our own and we have decided not to go for any alliance this time. PDP and BJP are in a secret alliance with NC and Congress,"&nbsp;said Bukhari, president of the Apni Party.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Congress chaired a meeting of its screening committee in Srinagar to address the concerns of party leaders who are aggrieved over seat-sharing with the National Conference.

Since the alliance between the Congress and NC has been announced, resentment within the Congress party is brewing against surrendering in front of NC.&nbsp;

In a significant political twist, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday (August 24) said that her party will give unconditional support to the National Conference (NC) and Congress's pre-poll alliance if both these parties accept PDP's manifesto.

In a significant political twist, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday (August 24) said that her party will give unconditional support to the National Conference (NC) and Congress's pre-poll alliance if both these parties accept PDP's manifesto. It was during the release of the party manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections that Mufti said that the party is not vying for seats but is ready to back the alliance if it aligns with their agenda, which prominently includes addressing the long-standing Kashmir issue. Mufti while reading out details from the manifesto said that "Power and seats don't matter for the PDP." Her party's primary concern is the resolution of critical issues facing the region. "We will not fight for the seats but will completely support the alliance if they agree to follow our agenda, which includes the resolution of the Kashmir issue. Power and seats don't matter for PDP, but in case the party's agenda is accepted, we will extend support to the alliance in Jammu and Kashmir." "The traditional routes will be opened, free 200 units of electricity will be provided, the fight over the resolution of the Kashmir issue will be taken forward and the dialogue process to be started if PDP is elected to power," said the PDP president. The NC-Congress alliance, which also includes the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)), has already announced plans to contest all 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir. While seat-sharing agreements have largely been finalised, discussions continue over certain contentious constituencies where candidates from both parties are eager to compete. Also read: India unveils new pension scheme for government employees; here are its key features Meanwhile, Apni Party president Syed Altaf Bukhari revealed that his party intends to field candidates on 60 seats, 40 in Kashmir and 20 in Jammu, during the upcoming assembly elections. "There won't be any alliance with anyone, and we did bear the brunt in the Lok Sabha elections. We will contest the assembly polls on our own and we have decided not to go for any alliance this time. PDP and BJP are in a secret alliance with NC and Congress," said Bukhari, president of the Apni Party. Meanwhile, Congress chaired a meeting of its screening committee in Srinagar to address the concerns of party leaders who are aggrieved over seat-sharing with the National Conference. Since the alliance between the Congress and NC has been announced, resentment within the Congress party is brewing against surrendering in front of NC.

Mehbooba Mufti offers unconditional support to NC-Congress alliance if they adopt PDP’s agenda

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti made a significant announcement on Saturday (August 24), ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, during the release of her party's manifesto.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti made a significant announcement on Saturday (August 24), ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, during the release of her party's manifesto. Mufti said that if the National Conference (NC) and Congress were willing to accept the PDP's manifesto and align on resolving the problems of Kashmir, she would support their alliance without contesting any seats. "Alliance and seat sharing are faraway things. If the National Conference and Congress are ready to adopt our agenda, we will say they should contest on all seats, we will follow them because for me solving the problem of Kashmir is more important than anything else..." she said. "When we allied earlier also, we had an agenda, when we allied with the BJP, we had an agenda which they agreed to but the alliance between the National Conference and Congress is not happening on the agenda, it is happening on seat sharing," the PDP leader added. Resumption of trade across LOC In the PDP manifesto, Mufti has advocated for the resumption of trade across the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. The National Conference has similarly included this point in its "12 guarantees" within its manifesto. The PDP leader also noted the challenges that have arisen since the abrogation of Article 370, remarking, "The issue has become even more complicated after the removal of Article 370. We will take Jammu and Kashmir out of the quagmire of difficulties." Free electricity, no water taxes, and more The manifesto outlines various socio-economic initiatives designed to ease the difficulties faced by the people. Also read: Bomb blast in southwestern Pakistan kills two children, injures 16 others Mufti promised, "We will provide free electricity up to 200 units, abolish water taxes, and there should be no water meters. We will also offer a one-time settlement for old electricity bills. For the poor, we will implement the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed scheme again, providing 12 cylinders a year." "We will double social security benefits like old age pensions and widow pensions. We will ensure that all government jobs are filled, and temples and gurdwaras will receive free electricity," she said. Return of Kashmiri Pandits She also committed to facilitating the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, emphasising that her party would take all necessary steps to ensure their safe return. Mufti clarified that the upcoming elections are not just about statehood or seat sharing, but about larger goals. "For me, this election is not for statehood or seat sharing... We have a bigger goal... We are fighting for dignity, for the resolution of the Kashmir issue," she continued. (With inputs from agencies)

Mehbooba Mufti reveals PDP manifesto: Trade across LOC, return of Kashmiri Pandits, and other key points

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Friday released the party manifesto, saying they will raise their voice against the “onslaught” on the rights of the people in J&K post-2019 on the floor of Parliament.

India Election 2024: Mehbooba Mufti's PDP releases manifesto for Lok Sabha polls

The INDIA alliance partners in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference and People's Democratic Party have decided to go their separate ways.&nbsp;

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti today (April 3) announced that there will be no alliance with the National Conference.

She also said that PDP will contest all three seats in the Kashmir valley while no decision has been taken so far with regard to the Jammu region. She also said that the announcement about the candidates will be done in a couple of days by the party.&nbsp;

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''It was very important for all of us to go together looking at the current situation in the Valley. In Mumbai, during the INDIA alliance meeting, I categorically had said that Dr Farooq Abdullah is our senior leader and whatever he decides with regard to Jammu and Kashmir will be acceptable to all of us. I was hoping he would take a decision beyond party benefits. And even if they had to take the same decision and they thought they had better candidates, they would have just communicated it to us. Omar Abdullah without even consulting us made statements in the media that PDP doesn't exist anymore, Mehbooba Mufti has come on number four, due to that my workers have been demotivated. It was a harsh statement by Omar. I am left with no choice but with modesty we will have our own candidates fighting for elections," said Mufti.

While Mehbooba said that National Conference leader left no choice for them but to go solo, Omar Abdullah reacted to it and said that he made no remarks about PDP and its their choice if they want to fight for seats in Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-rjd-leader-tejashwi-yadav-defends-lalus-parivaar-jibe-at-pm-modi-accuses-bjp-of-distracting-people-696938">India: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav defends dad Lalu’s ‘parivaar’ jibe at PM Modi,</a>

''I’ve made no remarks about Mehbooba’s party. I’ve nothing to say on this. It’s her choice if she wants to contest for seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Based on their formula we announced candidates. We had told them that based on DDC elections we should decide on the candidates for Lok Sabha. PDP had insisted that we go by the 2014 assembly election results. Wherever we had won, we picked our candidates. We had kept doors open but it seems she has closed them. Seems like there wouldn’t be an assembly alliance as well,'' said Omar.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, NC has nominated Mian Altaf as their candidate from South Kashmir and likely will have an alliance with the Congress in Jammu region. PDP has decided to field candidates in Kashmir Valley while they might also support Congress candidates in the Jammu region.

The INDIA alliance partners in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference and People's Democratic Party have decided to go their separate ways. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti today (April 3) announced that there will be no alliance with the National Conference.

The INDIA alliance partners in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference and People's Democratic Party have decided to go their separate ways. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti today (April 3) announced that there will be no alliance with the National Conference. She also said that PDP will contest all three seats in the Kashmir valley while no decision has been taken so far with regard to the Jammu region. She also said that the announcement about the candidates will be done in a couple of days by the party. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Rahul Gandhi files nomination from southern India's Wayanad ''It was very important for all of us to go together looking at the current situation in the Valley. In Mumbai, during the INDIA alliance meeting, I categorically had said that Dr Farooq Abdullah is our senior leader and whatever he decides with regard to Jammu and Kashmir will be acceptable to all of us. I was hoping he would take a decision beyond party benefits. And even if they had to take the same decision and they thought they had better candidates, they would have just communicated it to us. Omar Abdullah without even consulting us made statements in the media that PDP doesn't exist anymore, Mehbooba Mufti has come on number four, due to that my workers have been demotivated. It was a harsh statement by Omar. I am left with no choice but with modesty we will have our own candidates fighting for elections," said Mufti. While Mehbooba said that National Conference leader left no choice for them but to go solo, Omar Abdullah reacted to it and said that he made no remarks about PDP and its their choice if they want to fight for seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Also read: India: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav defends dad Lalu’s ‘parivaar’ jibe at PM Modi, ''I’ve made no remarks about Mehbooba’s party. I’ve nothing to say on this. It’s her choice if she wants to contest for seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Based on their formula we announced candidates. We had told them that based on DDC elections we should decide on the candidates for Lok Sabha. PDP had insisted that we go by the 2014 assembly election results. Wherever we had won, we picked our candidates. We had kept doors open but it seems she has closed them. Seems like there wouldn’t be an assembly alliance as well,'' said Omar. Meanwhile, NC has nominated Mian Altaf as their candidate from South Kashmir and likely will have an alliance with the Congress in Jammu region. PDP has decided to field candidates in Kashmir Valley while they might also support Congress candidates in the Jammu region.

No INDIA alliance in J&K: Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP to contest all 3 Lok Sabha seats in valley

A liberal People's Democratic Party (PDP) led by former prime minister Tshering Tobgay is set to form a new government in Bhutan after winning its fourth free vote since democratic elections began 15 years ago.

Bhutan Elections 2024: People's Democratic Party wins in Bhutan parliamentary elections

The party of Bhutan's former prime minister Tshering Tobgay won general elections with nearly two-thirds of seats in parliament, local media reported Tuesday, based on preliminary results from each constituency. Tobgay's People's Democratic Party (PDP) "wins the 2024 National Assembly general elections with 30 seats" while the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) took the remaining 17, The Bhutanese newspaper reported.

Tshering Tobgay's PDP wins two-thirds of seats in Bhutan parliamentary polls

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti has called for unity of opposition against the BJP. Mufti alleged that the right-wing party is eroding the democracy of India and it is high time for all opposition parties in the country to unite and fight together against the BJP.

Talking to reporters at&nbsp;her party office in Srinagar,&nbsp;she said "attack on democracy by the right-wing party started in 2018 when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with National Conference (NC) and Congress intended to form a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir but BJP didn't allow this to happen. It was the first attack on democracy by BJP and unfortunately, the rest of the opposition in the country didn't react to it as they should have reacted.''

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Mufti added that she is happy to see the opposition coming together on the issue of the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the parliament. It's high time for all the opposition parties in the country to come together and fight against BJP, she added.&nbsp;

“Muslims are the first target. Ultimately, it's going to be BJP vs all. It won't stop at Muslims only, it will go further. Rahul Gandhi is not a Muslim, Manish Sisodia is not a Muslim, and those who are threatened to be sent to jail by using investigative agencies as a tool. This is going to be BJP rashtra vs all others, one by one everyone would be affected, from Muslims to Dalits to all. I am glad all opposition is coming together with Congress. If there is a way to save democracy, the opposition parties have to get together to mobilise the people,'' said Mufti.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/young-kashmiri-girl-memorises-holy-quran-handwrites-it-in-four-months-575902">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Fond of calligraphy, young Kashmiri girl memorises holy Quran, writes it by hand in four months</a> 
 
 
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Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti has called for unity of opposition against the BJP. Mufti alleged that the right-wing party is eroding the democracy of India and it is high time for all opposition parties in the country to unite and fight together against the BJP.

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti has called for unity of opposition against the BJP. Mufti alleged that the right-wing party is eroding the democracy of India and it is high time for all opposition parties in the country to unite and fight together against the BJP. Talking to reporters at her party office in Srinagar, she said "attack on democracy by the right-wing party started in 2018 when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with National Conference (NC) and Congress intended to form a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir but BJP didn't allow this to happen. It was the first attack on democracy by BJP and unfortunately, the rest of the opposition in the country didn't react to it as they should have reacted.'' WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir government to restore temple by April 2023 × Mufti added that she is happy to see the opposition coming together on the issue of the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the parliament. It's high time for all the opposition parties in the country to come together and fight against BJP, she added. “Muslims are the first target. Ultimately, it's going to be BJP vs all. It won't stop at Muslims only, it will go further. Rahul Gandhi is not a Muslim, Manish Sisodia is not a Muslim, and those who are threatened to be sent to jail by using investigative agencies as a tool. This is going to be BJP rashtra vs all others, one by one everyone would be affected, from Muslims to Dalits to all. I am glad all opposition is coming together with Congress. If there is a way to save democracy, the opposition parties have to get together to mobilise the people,'' said Mufti. ALSO READ | Fond of calligraphy, young Kashmiri girl memorises holy Quran, writes it by hand in four months WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Mehbooba Mufti calls for opposition unity against BJP, says it’s time to save democracy

Jammu and Kashmir's former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti today hit out at Home Minister of India, Amit Shah. Mehbooba said that Shah's statements are just ‘jumlas’ (empty promises) and there are no facts in his statement. ''He has himself admitted that he keeps making such statements, He accepted that he used such jumlas during the elections. It is for the first time in the history that a state was converted into a Union Territory. And now, to divert the issue of Adani, they are using such tactics. They always use Jammu and Kashmir to divert the attention of the country. I have to say that the land of Jammu and Kashmir belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I want the people to take control of the land. ''

Mufti also said that people were earlier called anti-nationals and now they are calling us encroachers. She said it's our land and people should take control of the land. It belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “People were earlier being called anti-national and now they are being called encroachers,'' said the Jammu and Kashmir former chief minister.

Mehbooba, while replying to a question regarding G-20 summit meetings, said that it will have serious consequences if the government continues to carry out the demolition drive. ''The summit at a time of raiding BBC offices and demolishing houses will have serious consequences for the country's reputation, '' said Jammu and Kashmir's former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Mehbooba also said that while PDP was in coalition with BJP, they did not allow them to make any anti-people decisions. We didn’t allow them to carry out any anti-people activity. People can criticise me for my steps.&nbsp;I am not BJP, but till the government was there, we didn’t allow their agenda to prevail,” Mehbooba added.&nbsp;

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Jammu and Kashmir's former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti today hit out at Home Minister of India, Amit Shah. Mehbooba said that Shah's statements are just ‘jumlas’ (empty promises) and there are no facts in his statement.

Jammu and Kashmir's former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti today hit out at Home Minister of India, Amit Shah. Mehbooba said that Shah's statements are just ‘jumlas’ (empty promises) and there are no facts in his statement. ''He has himself admitted that he keeps making such statements, He accepted that he used such jumlas during the elections. It is for the first time in the history that a state was converted into a Union Territory. And now, to divert the issue of Adani, they are using such tactics. They always use Jammu and Kashmir to divert the attention of the country. I have to say that the land of Jammu and Kashmir belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I want the people to take control of the land. '' Mufti also said that people were earlier called anti-nationals and now they are calling us encroachers. She said it's our land and people should take control of the land. It belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “People were earlier being called anti-national and now they are being called encroachers,'' said the Jammu and Kashmir former chief minister. Mehbooba, while replying to a question regarding G-20 summit meetings, said that it will have serious consequences if the government continues to carry out the demolition drive. ''The summit at a time of raiding BBC offices and demolishing houses will have serious consequences for the country's reputation, '' said Jammu and Kashmir's former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Mehbooba also said that while PDP was in coalition with BJP, they did not allow them to make any anti-people decisions. We didn’t allow them to carry out any anti-people activity. People can criticise me for my steps. I am not BJP, but till the government was there, we didn’t allow their agenda to prevail,” Mehbooba added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Mehbooba Mufti hits out at Home Minister Shah; says first they called us anti nationals and now encroachers

The People’s Democratic Party held a protest on Wednesday (January 18) against the LG administration of Jammu and Kashmir. The protest was held in PDP’s Srinagar office at the Sher Kashmir Park. Party members were demanding the rollback of government order regarding the retrieval of state land held by people in the Union territory.&nbsp;

The Youth General Secretary of PDP Mohit Bhan was leading the protests and demanding the government to roll back the order. “The government’s directive is against the poor people who will be rendered homeless if this order is implemented on the ground. It’s totally inhuman,’’ said Bhan.&nbsp;

Most of the regional political parties like PDP, National Conference and People’s Conference&nbsp; in the Union Territory are against the government order&nbsp;and have expressed their disappointment over it. &nbsp;

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“This whole idea of retrieving state land in rural settings is dangerous. When will these insane experiments backed by ugly muscularity end? Occupation of state land in villages by inhabitants is a generational practice and an irreversible reality. This practice is prevalent in the rest of the country. A sizable percentage of the population is involved. You can’t make them homeless,’’ said Sajad Lone, People’s Conference.

“The National Conference is very clear that encroachments are not acceptable, but state land belongs to the people. If the government has passed an order, do they have any alternative for these people. SC judgement is two cases recently called for an alternative for the people until such steps are taken. It is totally wrong and harassment of locals. Sometimes I wonder if the BJP is really going to fight elections in Jammu Kashmir, they have such anti-people approach here. And let’s be very clear that this order is going to affect the poor people of the Union territory. The rich might find ways to fight the order, it’s the poor who will suffer the most,’’ said Ifra Jan, spokesperson, National Conference.&nbsp;

However, the BJP has welcomed the order of retrieving the government land. They have called it a step which is pro-poor people of the Union Territory.&nbsp;

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‘’Retrieving of land must start from the Nawa e Subh complex, Khidmat Trust, 32 former ministers, and other land sharks. There should be no mercy for looting state land, the government must ensure stern punishment to land grabbers. It is good that UT administration has asked all the Deputy Commissioners to remove all encroachments from state and community (Kahcharai) lands. It is surprising that most of the land grabbers are those who ruled the state. May it be the National Conference (NC), Congress and People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Even senior leaders of these political parties including Chaudhary Zulfikar and Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo are named in the list, ‘’ said Altaf Thakur, senior BJP leader and party’s J&amp;K spokesman.&nbsp;

The People’s Democratic Party held a protest on Wednesday (January 18) against the LG administration of Jammu and Kashmir. The protest was held in PDP’s Srinagar office at the Sher Kashmir Park.

The People’s Democratic Party held a protest on Wednesday (January 18) against the LG administration of Jammu and Kashmir. The protest was held in PDP’s Srinagar office at the Sher Kashmir Park. Party members were demanding the rollback of government order regarding the retrieval of state land held by people in the Union territory. The Youth General Secretary of PDP Mohit Bhan was leading the protests and demanding the government to roll back the order. “The government’s directive is against the poor people who will be rendered homeless if this order is implemented on the ground. It’s totally inhuman,’’ said Bhan. Most of the regional political parties like PDP, National Conference and People’s Conference in the Union Territory are against the government order and have expressed their disappointment over it. Also read |India’s Supreme Court seeks Centre’s view on criminalising marital rape “This whole idea of retrieving state land in rural settings is dangerous. When will these insane experiments backed by ugly muscularity end? Occupation of state land in villages by inhabitants is a generational practice and an irreversible reality. This practice is prevalent in the rest of the country. A sizable percentage of the population is involved. You can’t make them homeless,’’ said Sajad Lone, People’s Conference. “The National Conference is very clear that encroachments are not acceptable, but state land belongs to the people. If the government has passed an order, do they have any alternative for these people. SC judgement is two cases recently called for an alternative for the people until such steps are taken. It is totally wrong and harassment of locals. Sometimes I wonder if the BJP is really going to fight elections in Jammu Kashmir, they have such anti-people approach here. And let’s be very clear that this order is going to affect the poor people of the Union territory. The rich might find ways to fight the order, it’s the poor who will suffer the most,’’ said Ifra Jan, spokesperson, National Conference. However, the BJP has welcomed the order of retrieving the government land. They have called it a step which is pro-poor people of the Union Territory. Also read | Indians view US as second significant security threat ahead of Pakistan, shows survey ‘’Retrieving of land must start from the Nawa e Subh complex, Khidmat Trust, 32 former ministers, and other land sharks. There should be no mercy for looting state land, the government must ensure stern punishment to land grabbers. It is good that UT administration has asked all the Deputy Commissioners to remove all encroachments from state and community (Kahcharai) lands. It is surprising that most of the land grabbers are those who ruled the state. May it be the National Conference (NC), Congress and People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Even senior leaders of these political parties including Chaudhary Zulfikar and Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo are named in the list, ‘’ said Altaf Thakur, senior BJP leader and party’s J&K spokesman.

Regional parties in India's J&K protest against govt's state land retrieval order, BJP supports it

The civilian, who was injured in a terrorist firing in Kokernag area of Anantnag district on Saturday, has been identified as Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worker.

According to police sources, the injured person identified as Sajjad Mantoo had received gunshot wounds in his thigh, hand and abdomen but is in stable condition now.

Mantoo is a Panch and his wife is a Sarpanch. Both of them are PDP affiliates.Jammu and Kashmir Police had earlier said the injured has been shifted to the hospital.

In another incident in the district, three unidentified terrorists had stopped a load carrier vehicle in Buminabad area and set ablaze its contents, which mainly consisted of apple packaging materials.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The civilian, who was injured in a terrorist firing in Kokernag area of Anantnag district on Saturday, has been identified as Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worker.

The civilian, who was injured in a terrorist firing in Kokernag area of Anantnag district on Saturday, has been identified as Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worker. According to police sources, the injured person identified as Sajjad Mantoo had received gunshot wounds in his thigh, hand and abdomen but is in stable condition now. Mantoo is a Panch and his wife is a Sarpanch. Both of them are PDP affiliates.Jammu and Kashmir Police had earlier said the injured has been shifted to the hospital. In another incident in the district, three unidentified terrorists had stopped a load carrier vehicle in Buminabad area and set ablaze its contents, which mainly consisted of apple packaging materials.

Anantnag: Civilian injured in terrorist firing affiliated to PDP

The trial in the case of rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir is nearing completion nearly a year after it began at a court in Punjab's Pathankot, officials said Sunday.

Defence lawyers are likely to complete their final arguments on Monday, followed by a brief concluding statement from the prosecution team led by JK Chopra, they said, adding that the verdict is expected thereafter.

The day-to-day in-camera trial began in the first week of June last year at the district and session court in Pathankot after the Supreme Court directed that the case be shifted out of Jammu and Kashmir after lawyers in Kathua had prevented crime branch officials from filing the charge sheet in the case.

A political turmoil was witnessed in the Jammu region last January after the Jammu and Kashmir Police's crime branch took over the case and arrested eight people, including a juvenile and two police officials who were accused of destruction of evidence.

The case became a bone of contention between the ruling alliance partners PDP and BJP. The BJP had to sack two of its ministers, Chowdhury Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, for participating in a rally of Hindu Ekta Manch in support of those arrested by the crime branch in the case.

The crime branch arrested village head Sanji Ram, his son Vishal, juvenile nephew and his friend Anand Dutta, and two special police officers Deepak Khajuria and Surender Verma. Head constable Tilak Raj and sub-inspector Anand Dutta, who allegedly took Rs 4 lakh from Sanji Ram and destroyed crucial evidence, were also arrested by the crime branch.

Charges of rape and murder were framed by the district and sessions judge against seven out of the eight accused. The trial against the juvenile is yet to begin as his petition regarding his age is to be heard by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

In its May 7 order, the apex court said "the pivotal fact around which the controversy centres, is an abduction, rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl. An FIR was lodged at Hiranagar Police Station, Kathua...The investigating agency, namely, the Crime Branch, which took over the investigation on 22nd January 2018 from the local police has already filed the charge-sheet on 9th April 2018, in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kathua in the State of Jammu and Kashmir".

However, the country's topmost court did not say anything about handing over the case to the CBI and rather transferred the trial to the District and Sessions judge in Pathankot in Punjab, 30 km from Kathua.

"The learned district and sessions judge, Pathankot, shall himself take up the trial and not assign it to any additional sessions judge and shall fast-track the trial and take it up on day-to-day basis so that there is no delay in trial," the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court had said in April last year.

All the accused, barring the juvenile, have been shifted to Gurdaspur jail following an intervention by the Supreme Court which also restricted the appearance of the defence lawyers and limited it to one or maximum of two per accused.

The crime branch had submitted the charge sheet in the crime on April 9 before the Kathua court.&nbsp;

The case hit the headlines after lawyers tried to prevent the police from filing the charge sheet.

According to the charge sheet, the eight-year-old girl, who was kidnapped on January 10 this year, was allegedly raped by in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district after having been kept sedated for four days before she was bludgeoned to death.

The abduction, rape and killing of the child was part of a carefully planned strategy to remove the minority nomadic community from the area, the 15-page charge sheet says.&nbsp;

During trial, the prosecution presented opinions of doctors to suggest that an overdose of sedatives, forcibly administered to the victim before the murder, could have led her into "coma" (loss of consciousness).

The crime branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police had sent a sample of viscera to examine the effect of "manner" candies (believed to be local cannabis) and "Epitril 0.5 mg" tablets for further opinion to a forensic laboratory.

The crime branch had decided to seek further medical opinion after it was claimed by the accused people and their lawyers in the court as well as on social media through their supporters that it was virtually impossible that the eight-year-old girl could not have cried for help when such an alleged brutal attack was happening on her.

The doctors after examining the viscera, which contains internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest (as the heart or lungs) or abdomen (as the liver, pancreas or intestines), opined that medicine administered to the victim contains Clonazepam salt and has to be administered under medical supervision keeping in mind the age and weight of the patient.

"Considering her (victim) of 30 Kgs body weight, the therapeutic dose of 0.1 to 0.2 mgs per day divided in three doses for the patient (is recommended)," it said.

"She was forcefully administered five tablets of Clonazepam 0.5 mg each on January 11, 2018, which is higher than the safe therapeutic dose. Subsequently, more tablets were given...The signs and symptoms of an overdose may include drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, slow reflexes, slowed or stopped breathing, coma (loss of consciousness) and death," the opinion of the doctor had said.&nbsp;

The trial in the case of rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir is nearing completion nearly a year after it began at a court in Punjab's Pathankot, officials said Sunday.

The trial in the case of rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir is nearing completion nearly a year after it began at a court in Punjab's Pathankot, officials said Sunday. Defence lawyers are likely to complete their final arguments on Monday, followed by a brief concluding statement from the prosecution team led by JK Chopra, they said, adding that the verdict is expected thereafter. The day-to-day in-camera trial began in the first week of June last year at the district and session court in Pathankot after the Supreme Court directed that the case be shifted out of Jammu and Kashmir after lawyers in Kathua had prevented crime branch officials from filing the charge sheet in the case. A political turmoil was witnessed in the Jammu region last January after the Jammu and Kashmir Police's crime branch took over the case and arrested eight people, including a juvenile and two police officials who were accused of destruction of evidence. The case became a bone of contention between the ruling alliance partners PDP and BJP. The BJP had to sack two of its ministers, Chowdhury Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, for participating in a rally of Hindu Ekta Manch in support of those arrested by the crime branch in the case. The crime branch arrested village head Sanji Ram, his son Vishal, juvenile nephew and his friend Anand Dutta, and two special police officers Deepak Khajuria and Surender Verma. Head constable Tilak Raj and sub-inspector Anand Dutta, who allegedly took Rs 4 lakh from Sanji Ram and destroyed crucial evidence, were also arrested by the crime branch. Charges of rape and murder were framed by the district and sessions judge against seven out of the eight accused. The trial against the juvenile is yet to begin as his petition regarding his age is to be heard by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. In its May 7 order, the apex court said "the pivotal fact around which the controversy centres, is an abduction, rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl. An FIR was lodged at Hiranagar Police Station, Kathua...The investigating agency, namely, the Crime Branch, which took over the investigation on 22nd January 2018 from the local police has already filed the charge-sheet on 9th April 2018, in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kathua in the State of Jammu and Kashmir". However, the country's topmost court did not say anything about handing over the case to the CBI and rather transferred the trial to the District and Sessions judge in Pathankot in Punjab, 30 km from Kathua. "The learned district and sessions judge, Pathankot, shall himself take up the trial and not assign it to any additional sessions judge and shall fast-track the trial and take it up on day-to-day basis so that there is no delay in trial," the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court had said in April last year. All the accused, barring the juvenile, have been shifted to Gurdaspur jail following an intervention by the Supreme Court which also restricted the appearance of the defence lawyers and limited it to one or maximum of two per accused. The crime branch had submitted the charge sheet in the crime on April 9 before the Kathua court. The case hit the headlines after lawyers tried to prevent the police from filing the charge sheet. According to the charge sheet, the eight-year-old girl, who was kidnapped on January 10 this year, was allegedly raped by in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district after having been kept sedated for four days before she was bludgeoned to death. The abduction, rape and killing of the child was part of a carefully planned strategy to remove the minority nomadic community from the area, the 15-page charge sheet says. During trial, the prosecution presented opinions of doctors to suggest that an overdose of sedatives, forcibly administered to the victim before the murder, could have led her into "coma" (loss of consciousness). The crime branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police had sent a sample of viscera to examine the effect of "manner" candies (believed to be local cannabis) and "Epitril 0.5 mg" tablets for further opinion to a forensic laboratory. The crime branch had decided to seek further medical opinion after it was claimed by the accused people and their lawyers in the court as well as on social media through their supporters that it was virtually impossible that the eight-year-old girl could not have cried for help when such an alleged brutal attack was happening on her. The doctors after examining the viscera, which contains internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest (as the heart or lungs) or abdomen (as the liver, pancreas or intestines), opined that medicine administered to the victim contains Clonazepam salt and has to be administered under medical supervision keeping in mind the age and weight of the patient. "Considering her (victim) of 30 Kgs body weight, the therapeutic dose of 0.1 to 0.2 mgs per day divided in three doses for the patient (is recommended)," it said. "She was forcefully administered five tablets of Clonazepam 0.5 mg each on January 11, 2018, which is higher than the safe therapeutic dose. Subsequently, more tablets were given...The signs and symptoms of an overdose may include drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, slow reflexes, slowed or stopped breathing, coma (loss of consciousness) and death," the opinion of the doctor had said.

Trial in Kathua rape-and-murder case nearing completion

In this segment of WION Know, What does high voter turnout mean?

What does high voter turnout mean?

Fiercely violence reported in West Bengal on fourth phase of Lok Sabha Election 2019. Watch this video to know more about Phase 4.

LS Polls 2019: Fiercely violence reported in West Bengal on fourth phase of election

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, April 29th 2019

In Lok Sabha Polls 2019, 17 seats of Maharashtra are in the fray in fourth phase.

LS Polls: 17 seats of Maharashtra in the fray in fourth phase of Lok Sabha Polls

In this video, know which candidates' fate is on claim in Phase 4 of LS Polls 2019.

LS Polls 2019: Know which candidates' fate on claim in Phase 4

Lok Sabha election 2019 reaches its half-way mark with voting in the fourth of seven phases taking place across 72 constituencies where 961 candidates are in the fray. Watch this video to know more.

Lok Sabha Election 2019: Big ticket battles in phase 4

Lok Sabha Polls: India votes in phase 4 of General Polls

Lok Sabha Polls: Voting underway for 6 Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai

Srinagar is going to the polls for the second time in two years and this Lok Sabha constituency - comprising three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal – is scheduled to go for polls on April 18 in the second phase of the five-phased elections in the state. &nbsp; &nbsp;

In 2017 by-election, only seven per cent voters turned out to exercise their franchise and during large scale violence, nine people died.

It was a relatively low key campaign in Srinagar with only Farooq Abdullah, who is seeking a fourth term in the lower house of Parliament from the seat, making his presence felt like a candidate.

Abdullah is pitched against political greenhorns Aga Moshin of the PDP, Irfan Ansari of the People's Conference and Khalid Jehangir of the BJP.

An election official said there were only 46 rallies in Srinagar district, a city of over 12 lakh residents, during the campaign period.

The polling on April 18 will be keenly watched within and outside Kashmir as the constituency recorded an all-time low of 7.2 per cent voter turn out in 2017 bye-election, marred by violence on polling day that left nine persons dead and scores of others injured.

Stringent security measures have been put in place for the polling as additional security personnel have been deployed across the Srinagar constituency to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of elections, the official said.

As many as 12,90,318 voters are eligible to cast their votes with authorities having set up 1,716 polling stations in the constituency.&nbsp;

For migrant voters of the constituency, 26 polling stations have been set up with 21 in Jammu, one in Udhampur and four in New Delhi.&nbsp;

The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven-phases for 543 seats on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, and counting will be on May 23.

Srinagar is going to the polls for the second time in two years and this Lok Sabha constituency - comprising three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal – is scheduled to go for polls on April 18 in the second phase of the five-phased elections in the state.

Srinagar is going to the polls for the second time in two years and this Lok Sabha constituency - comprising three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal – is scheduled to go for polls on April 18 in the second phase of the five-phased elections in the state. In 2017 by-election, only seven per cent voters turned out to exercise their franchise and during large scale violence, nine people died. It was a relatively low key campaign in Srinagar with only Farooq Abdullah, who is seeking a fourth term in the lower house of Parliament from the seat, making his presence felt like a candidate. Abdullah is pitched against political greenhorns Aga Moshin of the PDP, Irfan Ansari of the People's Conference and Khalid Jehangir of the BJP. An election official said there were only 46 rallies in Srinagar district, a city of over 12 lakh residents, during the campaign period. The polling on April 18 will be keenly watched within and outside Kashmir as the constituency recorded an all-time low of 7.2 per cent voter turn out in 2017 bye-election, marred by violence on polling day that left nine persons dead and scores of others injured. Stringent security measures have been put in place for the polling as additional security personnel have been deployed across the Srinagar constituency to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of elections, the official said. As many as 12,90,318 voters are eligible to cast their votes with authorities having set up 1,716 polling stations in the constituency. For migrant voters of the constituency, 26 polling stations have been set up with 21 in Jammu, one in Udhampur and four in New Delhi. The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven-phases for 543 seats on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, and counting will be on May 23.

Srinagar: A high stakes battle for PDP, National Conference

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti's motorcade came under stone-pelting in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday while she was returning from a shrine there, officials said.

Mehbooba had gone to a shrine at Khirram in Anantnag district to pay her obeisance and was returning to Bijbehara when the incident took place, they added.

One of the spare vehicles in the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister's motorcade was damaged in the stone-pelting and the driver was hurt, the officials said.

Others in the entourage, including the PDP president, escaped unhurt.

Mehbooba is contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha election from the Anantnag seat, which she had won in 2014. The south Kashmir constituency, spread over the four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian, is going to the polls in three phases from April 29 to May 6. 
&nbsp;

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti's motorcade came under stone-pelting in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday while she was returning from a shrine there, officials said.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti's motorcade came under stone-pelting in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday while she was returning from a shrine there, officials said. Mehbooba had gone to a shrine at Khirram in Anantnag district to pay her obeisance and was returning to Bijbehara when the incident took place, they added. One of the spare vehicles in the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister's motorcade was damaged in the stone-pelting and the driver was hurt, the officials said. Others in the entourage, including the PDP president, escaped unhurt. Mehbooba is contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha election from the Anantnag seat, which she had won in 2014. The south Kashmir constituency, spread over the four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian, is going to the polls in three phases from April 29 to May 6.

Stones hurled at Mehbooba's motorcade in Anantnag district of J&K

National security and corruption have emerged as some of the main issues in the Lok Sabha elections but regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir have kept protection of the state's special status under the Constitution of India as their key poll plank.

The National Conference, its arch-rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and new entrant People's Conference led by Sajad Gani Lone have been talking about protection of Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution in their rallies in the run-up to the polling which is scheduled to begin on April 11, latching on to BJP chief Amit Shah's remarks that Article 35A will be repealed by 2020.

"Protecting the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as guaranteed in the Constitution of the country, is one of the main cornerstones of our campaign for these elections," National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah told PTI.

The former chief minister dismissed suggestions that six Lok Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir were numerically insignificant in case the special provision related to the state was to be scrapped through legislation in Parliament.

"It is not a numerical argument, it is an argument based on facts. Yes, we only have six seats but Jammu and Kashmir bats far above its rankings otherwise. The smallest thing in Jammu and Kashmir becomes international news, very big things in other states are often ignored. So, I think six members in Parliament can do more than 60 from another state," he said.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti is using the special status of the state and the buzz surrounding it to stage a comeback after her party's coalition government with the BJP fell last year.

She has adopted a more hardline posture than any of the regional parties on the issues related to Article 35A and Article 370.

"The relationship between our state and the country is based on our special constitutional position that legitimises it. If we remove, what legalises this relationship, it will turn into an occupation and colonisation," she said.

Mehbooba, while reacting to Shah's remarks on Article 35A, said the relation of Jammu and Kashmir with India will end if the terms and conditions of state's accession to the Union were changed.&nbsp;

"2020 will also be a deadline from Jammu and Kashmir to the nation. If you remove those terms and conditions on which Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India, our relation with the country will also finish," the former chief minister, who is contesting from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, said.

Lone, who was a minister in the PDP-led coalition government in the state from the BJP quota, has also vowed to defend the state's special status.

"Article 35A is a matter of faith and dignity for the people of the J&amp;K through which the Constitution of India guarantees to safeguard the special identity and unique status of Jammu &amp; Kashmir. In matters of pride and identity, profit and loss are immaterial. Can a country allow a foreign country to undermine its sovereignty and national pride just for the sake of some monetary gains," Lone asked.

He said Jammu and Kashmir was not the only state with special residency laws.

"All northeastern states and even Himachal Pradesh have laws prohibiting non-locals from purchasing land. Why are politicians in New Delhi only against J&amp;K's special status? What are their views on Art 371-A to 371-K which guarantee provisions like 370 as applicable to the northeastern states," he said.

Although Congress leaders in their campaign have focussed more on issues dominating the discourse at the national level, the local leaders have made it a point to raise the issue of protecting the special status in electioneering in the valley.

"No power in the world can revoke Article 370 and Article 35-A," state Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who is contesting from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, claimed.&nbsp;

National security and corruption have emerged as some of the main issues in the Lok Sabha elections but regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir have kept protection of the state's special status under the Constitution of India as their key poll plank.

National security and corruption have emerged as some of the main issues in the Lok Sabha elections but regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir have kept protection of the state's special status under the Constitution of India as their key poll plank. The National Conference, its arch-rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and new entrant People's Conference led by Sajad Gani Lone have been talking about protection of Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution in their rallies in the run-up to the polling which is scheduled to begin on April 11, latching on to BJP chief Amit Shah's remarks that Article 35A will be repealed by 2020. "Protecting the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as guaranteed in the Constitution of the country, is one of the main cornerstones of our campaign for these elections," National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah told PTI. The former chief minister dismissed suggestions that six Lok Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir were numerically insignificant in case the special provision related to the state was to be scrapped through legislation in Parliament. "It is not a numerical argument, it is an argument based on facts. Yes, we only have six seats but Jammu and Kashmir bats far above its rankings otherwise. The smallest thing in Jammu and Kashmir becomes international news, very big things in other states are often ignored. So, I think six members in Parliament can do more than 60 from another state," he said. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti is using the special status of the state and the buzz surrounding it to stage a comeback after her party's coalition government with the BJP fell last year. She has adopted a more hardline posture than any of the regional parties on the issues related to Article 35A and Article 370. "The relationship between our state and the country is based on our special constitutional position that legitimises it. If we remove, what legalises this relationship, it will turn into an occupation and colonisation," she said. Mehbooba, while reacting to Shah's remarks on Article 35A, said the relation of Jammu and Kashmir with India will end if the terms and conditions of state's accession to the Union were changed. "2020 will also be a deadline from Jammu and Kashmir to the nation. If you remove those terms and conditions on which Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India, our relation with the country will also finish," the former chief minister, who is contesting from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, said. Lone, who was a minister in the PDP-led coalition government in the state from the BJP quota, has also vowed to defend the state's special status. "Article 35A is a matter of faith and dignity for the people of the J&K through which the Constitution of India guarantees to safeguard the special identity and unique status of Jammu & Kashmir. In matters of pride and identity, profit and loss are immaterial. Can a country allow a foreign country to undermine its sovereignty and national pride just for the sake of some monetary gains," Lone asked. He said Jammu and Kashmir was not the only state with special residency laws. "All northeastern states and even Himachal Pradesh have laws prohibiting non-locals from purchasing land. Why are politicians in New Delhi only against J&K's special status? What are their views on Art 371-A to 371-K which guarantee provisions like 370 as applicable to the northeastern states," he said. Although Congress leaders in their campaign have focussed more on issues dominating the discourse at the national level, the local leaders have made it a point to raise the issue of protecting the special status in electioneering in the valley. "No power in the world can revoke Article 370 and Article 35-A," state Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who is contesting from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, claimed.

Lok Sabha elections: J&K parties make special status key poll issue

Amid the rising conflict within the NDA alliance, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Wednesday hinted at the party's efforts on bringing in new allies ahead of the 2019&nbsp;Lok Sabha polls.

In an interview to news agency ANI, Madhav admitted that certain smaller allies of the BJP have parted ways with the party.

He also added&nbsp;that BJP was now working on inducting new allies.

"Alliance politics is all about accommodation and adjustment and for that BJP is ready. It is true that certain smaller allies like <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-quitting-nda-upendra-kushwaha-joins-mahagathbandhan-in-bihar-185506">Kushwaha</a> have decided to leave us but we are working on bringing new allies into our fold especially in South India and Eastern India, " Madhav said.

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Ram Madhav, BJP: Alliance politics is all about accommodation and adjustment and for that BJP is ready. It is true that certain smaller allies like Kushwaha have decided to leave us but we’re working on bringing new allies into our fold especially in South India &amp; Eastern India. <a href="https://t.co/cx4gtL3CYH">pic.twitter.com/cx4gtL3CYH</a>
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NDA recently lost&nbsp;Upendra Kushwaha who pulled out from the alliance on December 10 and joined the mahagathbandhan in Bihar.

Chandrababu Naidu led Telugu Desam Party had earlier ended its alliance with the NDA in March.

Speaking about the recent victories of the Congress, Madhav said that though the party won the polls, the opposition was still not ready to accept Rahul Gandhi as its leader of the mahagathbandhan. Madhav said six leaders were there in the queue to become the prime minister.

"Rahul Gandhi is the leader of Congress. It's for them to decide if his leadership is beneficial to them or not. How can we comment on his leadership for Congress? He tried his electoral mettle in recent polls and brought some victories to Congress, there’s no doubt about it. If Rahul Gandhi could have been an option for PM candidate because of recent victories, then there would've been no need for Mahagathbandhan. Even today, no one, except Stalin, is ready to confirm the name of the leader of Mahagathbandhan. There are six people in queue to become PM".

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Ram Madhav,BJP: If Rahul Gandhi could've been option for PM candidate because of recent victories,then there would've been no need for Mahagathbandhan.Even today, no one,except Stalin, is ready to confirm name of the leader of Mahagathbandhan. There're 6 ppl in queue to become PM <a href="https://t.co/Xv3hRwmp4x">https://t.co/Xv3hRwmp4x</a>
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Ram Madhav also hailed the BJP government for bringing in the Triple Talaq Bill. He said, "It's a historic decision of PM Modi’s government to bring this issue of gender justice and equality. Large sections of civil society including Muslims welcomed it, it's a boon for Muslim women. Matter is before Parliament,I’m sure there’ll be meaningful debate".

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Ram Madhav,BJP: Rahul Gandhi is leader of Congress. It's for them to decide if his leadership is beneficial to them or not. How can we comment on his leadership for Congress?He tried his electoral mettle in recent polls&amp;brought some victories to Congress,there’s no doubt about it <a href="https://t.co/CJTIQdgmwB">pic.twitter.com/CJTIQdgmwB</a>
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Speaking on the Ram Temple Madhav said, "Option of ordinance has always been there. But matter is right now in Supreme Court and it&nbsp;has given a date of January 4 to decide about next bench. We hoping SC will take it in fast-track way and conclude it early. If that’s not going to happen, we'll explore other options".

Amid the rising conflict within the NDA alliance, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Wednesday hinted at the party's efforts on bringing in new allies ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Amid the rising conflict within the NDA alliance, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Wednesday hinted at the party's efforts on bringing in new allies ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. In an interview to news agency ANI, Madhav admitted that certain smaller allies of the BJP have parted ways with the party. He also added that BJP was now working on inducting new allies. "Alliance politics is all about accommodation and adjustment and for that BJP is ready. It is true that certain smaller allies like Kushwaha have decided to leave us but we are working on bringing new allies into our fold especially in South India and Eastern India, " Madhav said. Ram Madhav, BJP: Alliance politics is all about accommodation and adjustment and for that BJP is ready. It is true that certain smaller allies like Kushwaha have decided to leave us but we’re working on bringing new allies into our fold especially in South India & Eastern India. pic.twitter.com/cx4gtL3CYH — ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2018 × NDA recently lost Upendra Kushwaha who pulled out from the alliance on December 10 and joined the mahagathbandhan in Bihar. Chandrababu Naidu led Telugu Desam Party had earlier ended its alliance with the NDA in March. Speaking about the recent victories of the Congress, Madhav said that though the party won the polls, the opposition was still not ready to accept Rahul Gandhi as its leader of the mahagathbandhan. Madhav said six leaders were there in the queue to become the prime minister. "Rahul Gandhi is the leader of Congress. It's for them to decide if his leadership is beneficial to them or not. How can we comment on his leadership for Congress? He tried his electoral mettle in recent polls and brought some victories to Congress, there’s no doubt about it. If Rahul Gandhi could have been an option for PM candidate because of recent victories, then there would've been no need for Mahagathbandhan. Even today, no one, except Stalin, is ready to confirm the name of the leader of Mahagathbandhan. There are six people in queue to become PM". Ram Madhav,BJP: If Rahul Gandhi could've been option for PM candidate because of recent victories,then there would've been no need for Mahagathbandhan.Even today, no one,except Stalin, is ready to confirm name of the leader of Mahagathbandhan. There're 6 ppl in queue to become PM https://t.co/Xv3hRwmp4x — ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2018 × Ram Madhav also hailed the BJP government for bringing in the Triple Talaq Bill. He said, "It's a historic decision of PM Modi’s government to bring this issue of gender justice and equality. Large sections of civil society including Muslims welcomed it, it's a boon for Muslim women. Matter is before Parliament,I’m sure there’ll be meaningful debate". Ram Madhav,BJP: Rahul Gandhi is leader of Congress. It's for them to decide if his leadership is beneficial to them or not. How can we comment on his leadership for Congress?He tried his electoral mettle in recent polls&brought some victories to Congress,there’s no doubt about it pic.twitter.com/CJTIQdgmwB — ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2018 × Speaking on the Ram Temple Madhav said, "Option of ordinance has always been there. But matter is right now in Supreme Court and it has given a date of January 4 to decide about next bench. We hoping SC will take it in fast-track way and conclude it early. If that’s not going to happen, we'll explore other options".

Working on bringing new allies into our folds: BJP general secretary Ram Madhav

Jammu and Kashmir which has been under the Governor's rule for the past six months will come under the President's rule from Wednesday midnight.

President Ram Nath Kovind signed a proclamation which cleared the way for the imposition of central rule in the state.

In a gazette notification, President Kovind said, "In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 356 of the Constitution, and of all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I hereby proclaim that I assume to myself as President of India all the functions of the Government of the said state and all powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor of that state under the Constitution and the state Constitution."

The state plunged into a political crisis in June after the BJP withdrew its support from the PDP alliance led by Mehbooba Mufti.

Governor Satya Pal Malik had earlier sent a report recommending the establishment of the President's rule in the state. Following this, a cabinet headed by PM Modi decided for the imposition of the President's rule in the state.

After the proclamation, the powers of the Legislature of the state shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament.

Since the state has a separate Constitution, in such cases, six months of governor's rule is compulsory under Article 92 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution, under which all the legislature powers are vested with the governor.

The governor on November 21 dissolved the 87-member state assembly after the PDP, supported by the Congress and their arch-rivals National Conference, had staked claim to form the government.&nbsp;

Simultaneously, the two-member People's Conference led by Sajjad Lone had also staked claim to form a government with 25 members of the BJP and other 18 unknown members.

The governor had dissolved the assembly citing horse trading and lack of stability to form a government as the reasons.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Jammu and Kashmir which has been under the Governor's rule for the past six months will come under the President's rule from Wednesday midnight. President Ram Nath Kovind signed a proclamation which cleared the way for the imposition of central rule in the state.

Jammu and Kashmir which has been under the Governor's rule for the past six months will come under the President's rule from Wednesday midnight. President Ram Nath Kovind signed a proclamation which cleared the way for the imposition of central rule in the state. In a gazette notification, President Kovind said, "In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 356 of the Constitution, and of all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I hereby proclaim that I assume to myself as President of India all the functions of the Government of the said state and all powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor of that state under the Constitution and the state Constitution." The state plunged into a political crisis in June after the BJP withdrew its support from the PDP alliance led by Mehbooba Mufti. Governor Satya Pal Malik had earlier sent a report recommending the establishment of the President's rule in the state. Following this, a cabinet headed by PM Modi decided for the imposition of the President's rule in the state. After the proclamation, the powers of the Legislature of the state shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. Since the state has a separate Constitution, in such cases, six months of governor's rule is compulsory under Article 92 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution, under which all the legislature powers are vested with the governor. The governor on November 21 dissolved the 87-member state assembly after the PDP, supported by the Congress and their arch-rivals National Conference, had staked claim to form the government. Simultaneously, the two-member People's Conference led by Sajjad Lone had also staked claim to form a government with 25 members of the BJP and other 18 unknown members. The governor had dissolved the assembly citing horse trading and lack of stability to form a government as the reasons. (With inputs from agencies)

Jammu and Kashmir to come under President's rule from midnight

Days after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-kashmir-mehbooba-mufti-writes-to-governor-stakes-claim-to-form-government-178644">dissolution of the Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir</a>, the Congress demanded&nbsp;that elections be held in the state as early as possible to "restore" democracy, as it termed the Governor's rule in the state as "Modi rule".

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the Governor's rule in the state as a "de facto Modi rule".

"The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-did-not-act-on-bjps-behest-nobody-gave-me-list-of-mlas-says-jk-governor-satya-pal-malik-after-dissolving-assembly-178721"> Governor's (Satya Pal Malik)</a> rule in Kashmir is (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi rule. It is BJP rule," he told reporters here.

"BJP, in collusion with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ran the show in J&amp;K and Ladakh from behind the curtain. It is all the more important today that democracy is restored there," Surjewala said.

"Only elections can pave the way for formation of people's government in J&amp;K," he said, adding, "So Modi-ji and the Governor should get elections held as soon as possible."

"This is our direct and clear demand," Surjewala said.

The Governor abruptly dissolved the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Wednesday night, hours after the PDP staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival NC and the Congress.

This was followed by another bid from the two-member People's Conference which claimed the support of the BJP and 18 legislators from other parties.

Besides slamming the move, Surjewala also targeted the Modi government for "pushing J&amp;K and Ladakh into deep violence".

Neither the Pakistan-exported terrorism stopped nor did violence cease, Surjewala alleged.

"Neither ceasefire violation by Pakistani Army stopped nor was the prime minister with 56-inch chest able to stop Pakistan from exporting extremists," the Congress leader added. 
&nbsp;

Days after the dissolution of the Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress demanded that elections be held in the state as early as possible to "restore" democracy, as it termed the Governor's rule in the state as "Modi rule".

Days after the dissolution of the Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress demanded that elections be held in the state as early as possible to "restore" democracy, as it termed the Governor's rule in the state as "Modi rule". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the Governor's rule in the state as a "de facto Modi rule". "The Governor's (Satya Pal Malik) rule in Kashmir is (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi rule. It is BJP rule," he told reporters here. "BJP, in collusion with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ran the show in J&K and Ladakh from behind the curtain. It is all the more important today that democracy is restored there," Surjewala said. "Only elections can pave the way for formation of people's government in J&K," he said, adding, "So Modi-ji and the Governor should get elections held as soon as possible." "This is our direct and clear demand," Surjewala said. The Governor abruptly dissolved the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Wednesday night, hours after the PDP staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival NC and the Congress. This was followed by another bid from the two-member People's Conference which claimed the support of the BJP and 18 legislators from other parties. Besides slamming the move, Surjewala also targeted the Modi government for "pushing J&K and Ladakh into deep violence". Neither the Pakistan-exported terrorism stopped nor did violence cease, Surjewala alleged. "Neither ceasefire violation by Pakistani Army stopped nor was the prime minister with 56-inch chest able to stop Pakistan from exporting extremists," the Congress leader added.

Governor rule in J&K 'de facto' Modi rule, says Congress as it seeks fresh polls soon

A day after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/best-option-in-jk-is-fresh-polls-at-earliest-says-bjp-178700">Jammu and Kashmir(J&amp;K) assembly</a> was dissolved, governor Satya Pal Malik said his decision was made in favour of the state and he was not acting on BJP's behest.

"Nobody&nbsp;gave me a&nbsp;list of MLAs,"&nbsp;the governor said while declaring that he could not allow horse-trading in the assembly.

"Are government's formed through social media? I neither tweet nor see the tweets. I selected yesterday for the decision to dissolve the assembly as it was a holy day, it was Eid," he said&nbsp;on Mehbooba Mufti's letter sent to him in the form of a tweet

"It is the Election Commission's job to decide on the date of the elections,"&nbsp;he said. "I did not act on BJP's behest," he added.

The J&amp;K assembly was abruptly dissolved by the governor after the PDP staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival National Conference(NC) and the Congress. Another bid to form the government was made by two-member People's Conference.

The dissolution was announced by governor Satyapal Malik in a communique released by Raj Bhavan.

"Why will they go to court? They were demanding this for five months. I want that they go to court, it's their right, they should go," he said after some leaders expressed their willingness to challenge the governor's decision in court.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, National Conference(NC) leader today accused the BJP of being behind the dissolution of J&amp;K assembly which was announced by governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday&nbsp;night.

"J&amp;K has been subjected to a lot of suffering," the former chief minister said, adding that talks were going on for an alliance. "We have interests of the people in mind," he asserted.

Omar said NC and PDP were in talks to form the next government in the state.

"I do not want to be chief minister," Omar told reporters at a press conference in Srinagar. He informed that the NC core group had held a meeting today to take stock of the situation.

Taking a jibe at the governor, Omar said fax machine had become the new political player in J&amp;K. He said the BJP wanted elections in the state.&nbsp;

The BJP said: "The proposed alliance between the Congress and the PDP broke up even before it was formed. They have taken contradictory positions on dissolution. One supports it and the other opposes it."

"The best option in such a scenario is to go in for a fresh election at the earliest. This assembly cannot produce a stable government," it added.

A day after the Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) assembly was dissolved, governor Satya Pal Malik said his decision was made in favour of the state and he was not acting on BJP's behest.

A day after the Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) assembly was dissolved, governor Satya Pal Malik said his decision was made in favour of the state and he was not acting on BJP's behest. "Nobody gave me a list of MLAs," the governor said while declaring that he could not allow horse-trading in the assembly. "Are government's formed through social media? I neither tweet nor see the tweets. I selected yesterday for the decision to dissolve the assembly as it was a holy day, it was Eid," he said on Mehbooba Mufti's letter sent to him in the form of a tweet "It is the Election Commission's job to decide on the date of the elections," he said. "I did not act on BJP's behest," he added. The J&K assembly was abruptly dissolved by the governor after the PDP staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival National Conference(NC) and the Congress. Another bid to form the government was made by two-member People's Conference. The dissolution was announced by governor Satyapal Malik in a communique released by Raj Bhavan. "Why will they go to court? They were demanding this for five months. I want that they go to court, it's their right, they should go," he said after some leaders expressed their willingness to challenge the governor's decision in court. Meanwhile, National Conference(NC) leader today accused the BJP of being behind the dissolution of J&K assembly which was announced by governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday night. "J&K has been subjected to a lot of suffering," the former chief minister said, adding that talks were going on for an alliance. "We have interests of the people in mind," he asserted. Omar said NC and PDP were in talks to form the next government in the state. "I do not want to be chief minister," Omar told reporters at a press conference in Srinagar. He informed that the NC core group had held a meeting today to take stock of the situation. Taking a jibe at the governor, Omar said fax machine had become the new political player in J&K. He said the BJP wanted elections in the state. The BJP said: "The proposed alliance between the Congress and the PDP broke up even before it was formed. They have taken contradictory positions on dissolution. One supports it and the other opposes it." "The best option in such a scenario is to go in for a fresh election at the earliest. This assembly cannot produce a stable government," it added.

I did not act on BJP's behest, says J&K governor Satya Pal Malik after dissolving assembly

After the emergence of the third front in Jammu and Kashmir, three political parties have come together to form a government in the state.&nbsp;

The development came a day after senior PDP leader Muzzafar Hussain Baig showed his willingness to join the Third Front, currently led by Sajjad Gani Lone of the People's Conference.

The coming together of the National Conference, the People's Democratic Party and the Congress, in what is seen as a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-pulls-out-of-alliance-with-pdp-in-kashmir-145468">grand alliance</a>, was announced by senior PDP leader Altaf Bukhari at his residence.&nbsp;

"All the three parties decided to join hands to defend the special status of the state, keeping in view the political situation and special status of the state," Altaf, who is seen as a front-runner for the chief ministerial chair, told WION in an exclusive chat.

He told WION that a formal announcement about the formation of the government would be made soon. "We have 60 MLAs to keep the communal forces away from the state and an alliance has been agreed," he said.&nbsp;

The alliance will also save the PDP from breaking as some of its senior members had rebelled against the party over a number of issues and were part of the Third Front which was emerging stronger by the day.&nbsp;

Backed by the BJP, the Third Front was emerging as an alternative to the traditional political parties which have ruled Kashmir for decades. But they don't have the numbers to prove their majority in the state assembly which is currently in suspended animation.

J&amp;K Governor Satya Pal Malik had earlier said that he wouldn't dissolve the assembly but there were no signs of any government formation.&nbsp;

Sources have told WION that several informal talks were held between the political parties over the joining of hands, adding that the aim of government formation was also to stop J&amp;K from slipping into the hands of Governor's Rule.

"Congress MLAs have submitted their written consent to the party for the formation of government," a source in the PDP told WION.&nbsp;

The National Conference has called for a core group meeting tomorrow with top leaders from the three regions of the Himalayan state. The Congress' J&amp;K-in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir has flown to Delhi to meet the party's top leadership over the issue while other members have been called on the 23rd to deliberate further.&nbsp;

After the emergence of the third front in Jammu and Kashmir, three political parties have come together to form a government in the state. The development came a day after senior PDP leader Muzzafar Hussain Baig showed his willingness to join the Third Front, currently led by Sajjad Gani Lone of the People's Conference.

After the emergence of the third front in Jammu and Kashmir, three political parties have come together to form a government in the state. The development came a day after senior PDP leader Muzzafar Hussain Baig showed his willingness to join the Third Front, currently led by Sajjad Gani Lone of the People's Conference. The coming together of the National Conference, the People's Democratic Party and the Congress, in what is seen as a grand alliance, was announced by senior PDP leader Altaf Bukhari at his residence. "All the three parties decided to join hands to defend the special status of the state, keeping in view the political situation and special status of the state," Altaf, who is seen as a front-runner for the chief ministerial chair, told WION in an exclusive chat. He told WION that a formal announcement about the formation of the government would be made soon. "We have 60 MLAs to keep the communal forces away from the state and an alliance has been agreed," he said. The alliance will also save the PDP from breaking as some of its senior members had rebelled against the party over a number of issues and were part of the Third Front which was emerging stronger by the day. Backed by the BJP, the Third Front was emerging as an alternative to the traditional political parties which have ruled Kashmir for decades. But they don't have the numbers to prove their majority in the state assembly which is currently in suspended animation. J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik had earlier said that he wouldn't dissolve the assembly but there were no signs of any government formation. Sources have told WION that several informal talks were held between the political parties over the joining of hands, adding that the aim of government formation was also to stop J&K from slipping into the hands of Governor's Rule. "Congress MLAs have submitted their written consent to the party for the formation of government," a source in the PDP told WION. The National Conference has called for a core group meeting tomorrow with top leaders from the three regions of the Himalayan state. The Congress' J&K-in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir has flown to Delhi to meet the party's top leadership over the issue while other members have been called on the 23rd to deliberate further.

PDP, NC, Congress join hands in Jammu & Kashmir, will try and form government

The Congress, the People's Democratic Party, and the National Conference are in talks to form a coalition and the next government in Jammu &amp; Kashmir, news reports said Wednesday.&nbsp;

Top sources told WION that the idea was to form a government, then dissolve the house in a couple of months and go in for fresh elections.&nbsp;

Jammu and Kashmir has been under Governor's Rule since June 19 when the BJP pulled out of a coalition government with the PDP. Governor's Rule comes to an end next month on December 19.&nbsp;

The fast-paced developments in Kashmir were spurred after senior PDP leader Muzaffar Baig said yesterday that he was ready to join the third front. 
&nbsp; 
There are currently multiple meetings underway both in Jammu and Srinagar.

Senior PDP leader Altaf Bukhari meanwhile has met with Omar Abdullah to discuss a&nbsp;plan of action.&nbsp;

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Who ever said “may you live in interesting times” knew what they were talking about.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/1065200799859519488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Abdullah meanwhile tweeted Wednesday that "Whoever said 'may you live in interesting times' knew what they were talking about'.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ANI quoted Bukhari as saying "my leadership has confirmed it to us that the three parties (Congress, PDP and NC) have agreed to make a coalition to defend the special identity of the state politically and legally. Very soon you will get a good news."&nbsp;&nbsp;

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My leadership has confirmed it to us that the three parties (Congress, PDP &amp; NC) have agreed to make a coalition to defend the special identity of the state politically and legally. Very soon you will get a good news: Altaf Bukhari, PDP <a href="https://t.co/5tHEdBoOGJ">pic.twitter.com/5tHEdBoOGJ</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1065190457527975937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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News reports Wednesday said Bukhari was emerging as the chief ministerial face of the grand coalition.&nbsp;

The reports added that the leaders of the three parties would meet with Governor Satyapal Malik on Thursday.&nbsp;

The PDP has 29 MLAs in the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly, the Congress has 12 and the National Conference has 15, putting them well ahead of the halfway mark of 44.&nbsp;

The news reports Wednesday added that should the grand coalition come into effect, it could also serve as a template for the possible BJP vs The Rest battle in the 2019 elections.&nbsp;

The Congress, the People's Democratic Party, and the National Conference are in talks to form a coalition and the next government in Jammu & Kashmir, news reports said Wednesday.

The Congress, the People's Democratic Party, and the National Conference are in talks to form a coalition and the next government in Jammu & Kashmir, news reports said Wednesday. Top sources told WION that the idea was to form a government, then dissolve the house in a couple of months and go in for fresh elections. Jammu and Kashmir has been under Governor's Rule since June 19 when the BJP pulled out of a coalition government with the PDP. Governor's Rule comes to an end next month on December 19. The fast-paced developments in Kashmir were spurred after senior PDP leader Muzaffar Baig said yesterday that he was ready to join the third front. There are currently multiple meetings underway both in Jammu and Srinagar. Senior PDP leader Altaf Bukhari meanwhile has met with Omar Abdullah to discuss a plan of action. Who ever said “may you live in interesting times” knew what they were talking about. — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 21, 2018 × Abdullah meanwhile tweeted Wednesday that "Whoever said 'may you live in interesting times' knew what they were talking about'. ANI quoted Bukhari as saying "my leadership has confirmed it to us that the three parties (Congress, PDP and NC) have agreed to make a coalition to defend the special identity of the state politically and legally. Very soon you will get a good news." My leadership has confirmed it to us that the three parties (Congress, PDP & NC) have agreed to make a coalition to defend the special identity of the state politically and legally. Very soon you will get a good news: Altaf Bukhari, PDP pic.twitter.com/5tHEdBoOGJ — ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2018 × News reports Wednesday said Bukhari was emerging as the chief ministerial face of the grand coalition. The reports added that the leaders of the three parties would meet with Governor Satyapal Malik on Thursday. The PDP has 29 MLAs in the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly, the Congress has 12 and the National Conference has 15, putting them well ahead of the halfway mark of 44. The news reports Wednesday added that should the grand coalition come into effect, it could also serve as a template for the possible BJP vs The Rest battle in the 2019 elections.

Congress, PDP and NC to align, form next government in Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir's state cabinet will undergo a reshuffle on Monday. Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh noted on Saturday that the PDP-BJP alliance government will undertake a cabinet reshuffle on April 30.

According to Singh, the reshuffle would see the induction of some new ministers.

"The oath ceremony will take place at 12 noon on April 30," Singh noted.

The list of the inductees is yet to be finalised, shared Singh.

As per reports, a couple of ministers of state (MosS) may get elevated to the Cabinet rank.

The BJP's state cadre had held a meeting with party's top officials in New Delhi last Sunday to discuss and finalise new inductees and to assess the performance of the current state ministers.

On April 17, nine state ministers from Jammu and Kashmir were asked to step down to enable the party to bring in new faces in the Mufti cabinet.

The BJP has been experiencing pressure mounting over its ministers, Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Gangam, who allegedly supported the accused in the Kathua rape and murder case.&nbsp;

Currently, the BJP has six cabinet ministers, including associate member Sajad Lone, and three MoS.

The J&K cabinet can have a maximum of 25 ministers, including the chief minister. While 14 portfolios rest with the PDP, the BJP holds the remaining.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Currently, the BJP has six cabinet ministers, including associate member Sajad Lone, and three MoS

Jammu and Kashmir's state cabinet will undergo a reshuffle on Monday. Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh noted on Saturday that the PDP-BJP alliance government will undertake a cabinet reshuffle on April 30. According to Singh, the reshuffle would see the induction of some new ministers. "The oath ceremony will take place at 12 noon on April 30," Singh noted. The list of the inductees is yet to be finalised, shared Singh. As per reports, a couple of ministers of state (MosS) may get elevated to the Cabinet rank. The BJP's state cadre had held a meeting with party's top officials in New Delhi last Sunday to discuss and finalise new inductees and to assess the performance of the current state ministers. On April 17, nine state ministers from Jammu and Kashmir were asked to step down to enable the party to bring in new faces in the Mufti cabinet. The BJP has been experiencing pressure mounting over its ministers, Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Gangam, who allegedly supported the accused in the Kathua rape and murder case. Currently, the BJP has six cabinet ministers, including associate member Sajad Lone, and three MoS. The J&K cabinet can have a maximum of 25 ministers, including the chief minister. While 14 portfolios rest with the PDP, the BJP holds the remaining. (With inputs from PTI)

J&K cabinet reshuffle on Monday: Deputy Chief Minister

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