New Delhi (Sputnik) – India's ruling BJP withdrew support from the Jammu and Kashmir coalition government on Monday after it claimed that the security situation in the state has worsened beyond repair.
"It has become untenable for the BJP to continue in the alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir," Ram Madhav, party general secretary, told reporters.
Ram Madhav in BJP Press Conference.: Keeping national interest in mind and that Kashmir is an integral part of India, we have to say it is time that the reins of power in the state be handed over to the governor.
— Tufail Bhai (@Tufailbhai786) June 19, 2018
#JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/CCA7vaHW2p
With the withdrawal of the BJP and the resultant collapsing of the elected government in light of a lack of a majority of seats in the state assembly, the Governor will be in charge of the state's administration until a new government is formed.
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"Keeping in mind that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and in order to control the prevailing situation in the state, we have decided that the reins of power in the state be handed over to the Governor," Madhav added.
"Whatever has happened is good. People of Jammu and Kashmir will get some relief. They (BJP) ruined Kashmir and have now pulled out. A maximum number of civilians and army men died during these three years. That question does not arise (on forming an alliance with PDP)," Ghulam Nabi Azad, senior leader of the Indian National Congress, country's main opposition party said.
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The Narendra Modi-led government at the center was under serious strain over its failure to tackle terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and a growing number of deaths of security personnel in the Kashmir valley. Last week, one of Kashmir's senior-most journalists Shujat Bukhari was shot dead by unknown assailants in front of his office in Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir.
My condolences to family of Shujat Bukhari. Hope Mehbooba Mufti will finally realise that unilateral ceasefire has only emboldened terror groups. Shujaat killed in VIP security area with restricted access.He had armed guards. Let Shujaat's tragic death be wake up call 4 Mehbooba
— MadhuPurnima Kishwar (@madhukishwar) June 14, 2018
Some analysts have observed that by withdrawing support from the local government, the BJP intends to stir the Kashmir militancy and anti-Pakistan rhetoric to stir passions in the run-up to the general elections.
READ MORE: Demand to Revoke Ceasefire After Twin Terror Attacks in Kashmir
"Now the BJP strategy might be an all-out effort under Governor's rule to crush terror on either side of the border. After all, 2019 is not far off! In any case, a heightened Kashmir and anti-Pak rhetoric will be a useful distraction from domestic economic issues," MK Venu, senior journalist and founding editor of thewire.com said.
After seeing Kashmir political situation reach its 15 year low, BJP is washing it's hands off by withdrawing from J&K govt. BJP can't absolve itself of its share of responsibility. Is this BJP's commitment to democracy in J&k?
— M K Venu (@mkvenu1) June 19, 2018
