Power Shift in Jammu & Kashmir: New Government to Take Charge After President’s Rule Ends

Jammu and Kashmir witnessed the end of the President's rule on Sunday, opening the door for the formation of new government in the union territory. This marks the end of a six-year period under President's rule in the region.

The Union Home Ministry issued a gazette notification regarding this change.

The new government will be formed by the National Conference and Congress alliance, which won the recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 73 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (34 of 2019) read with Articles 239 and 239A of the Constitution of India, the order dated the 31st October, 2019 in relation to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall stand revoked immediately before the appointment of the chief minister under Section 54 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019," the notification signed by President Droupadi Murmu said.

Omar Abdullah, the vice president of the National Conference, will be taking charge as the next chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

A quick history

On October 31, 2019, the Indian government took direct control over the region of Jammu and Kashmir, changing it from a state to two separate union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

This transition in the state political system largely came after a law was passed by the Indian Parliament on August 5 (in the same year), which removed Article 370 from the Constitution.

Article 370 gave special rights and autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir as a state. After this article was revoked, the area was reorganised and brought under central government control.

It is worth noting that before 2019 as well, the Indian government was in direct control of the state since June 2017.

This came after Mehbooba Mufti resigned from the CM post when the BJP decided to withdraw its support for her government. Subsequently, Governor's rule was imposed for six months, during which the Governor managed the state's administration.

However, another transition came in after the President's rule was imposed in the state. Initially set for six months, this President's rule was extended multiple times later on.