STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: As the political deadlock in Jammu and Kashmir continued over government formation, the legal fraternity here was divided on Monday as to whether the
State Assembly has to be dissolved by the Governor before 9th April when the six-month period since its last sitting lapses.
Former Advocate General Altaf Naik said as per the State Constitution, the overnor will have to dissolve the Assembly if no elected government is put in place
by 9th April. “The six-month period for this purpose starts from the day last sitting of the legislature took place,” Naik said. However, another former
Advocate General Ishaq Qadri and former Assistant Solicitor General of India Anil Bhan have a different view on the matter.
The Assembly is currently in suspended animation. The two senior lawyers are of the opinion that as the Governor’s Rule has been imposed in the State, the
sixmonth period before the Assembly can be dissolved will start from the day Governor N.N Vohra assumed the reins of the State.
Governor’s Rule was imposed on 8th January. “Since the Assembly is in suspended animation, the six month period for the purpose will start from the day
Governor’s Rule was imposed in the State,” Bhan and Qadri said. Dissolution of the Assembly will necessitate fresh polls. Mehbooba has maintained that her
party is not seeking anything more than what has been agreed upon between her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and the BJP in the Agenda of Alliance last year. Among the issues flagged by the PDP leader are dialogue to address the internal and external dimensions of Kashmir, revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act(AFSPA) and return of power projects to the State. The BJP is maintaining that it was committed to Agenda of Alliance which will be implemented over the six-year term of the government.