In a move set to embarrass Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the Congress party, National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stage-managed a brilliant poker move which forced a panicky BJP central government to dissolve the Jammu and Kashmir assembly. The whole plot was explained by former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti in a series of tweets on Wednesday evening.
There had been a longstanding demand from Farooq Abdullah-led NC and Mufti’s PDP that President dissolve the assembly to prevent any political instability and horse-trading of MLAs. But with an attempt to somehow foist a BJP government over the troubled state, with the support of Sajjad Lone, the centre had been ignoring the demand of the two major parties in the state.
In her series of tweets, Mufti explained that Congress leader Ambika Soni and NC leader Omar Abdullah worked closely with Mufti to stage an attempt at forming a coalition government, even though they had no intention to form such a government. It was meant to force BJP’s hand, and as expected, Modi, Shah and Doval panicked at the prospect of another non-BJP government in the country. In a move which betrays their lack of political nous and grave immaturity, and could possibly make them a laughing stock in political circles, they asked the Governor to dissolve the state assembly.
Here are her tweets:
In my twenty six year old career as a politician, I thought I had seen it all! But like they say never say never! Nevertheless, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to @OmarAbdullah and @Ambikasoni4 ji for helping us achieve the seemingly impossible. 1/4
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 21, 2018
Since the past five months, regardless of political affiliations, we shared the view that the state assembly be dissolved immediately to avert horse trading & defections. 2/4
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 21, 2018
Oddly enough our pleas fell on deaf ears. But who would have thought that the very idea of a grand coalition would give such jitters. 3/4
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 21, 2018
PS – In todays age of technology, it is very strange that the fax machine at HE Governor’s residence didn’t receive our fax but swiftly issued one regarding the assembly dissolution. ????4/4
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 21, 2018
Also read: PDP To Stake Claim To Govt Formation With NC & INC, Mufti Claims Governor Evasive