President’s rule comes into force in the trouble-torn and politically volatile border State of Jammu & Kashmir with effect from yesterday evening.

Till a few months back, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) headed by Mehbooba Mufti was in power in the State in alliance with the BJP. However, the Mufti Govt. was reduced to a minority in June this year when the BJP wrote to J&K Governor informing him of its decision to withdraw support to the Government.

Governor’s rule came into force soon after and the State Legislative Assembly was kept in suspended animation. In November, the Governor dissolved the Legislative Assembly and ordered fresh Assembly polls. As yesterday marked the six-month period since Governor’s rule came into force, the Centre issued a gazette notification yesterday promulgating President’s rule in the State.

President Ram Nath Kovind has signed the gazette notification. It is expected that the Assembly polls in the State may be combined and held along with general elections to be held in the rest of the country during April/May next year.