New Delhi:
Amid high-stakes political drama over the formation of the Jammu and Kashmir government, the "failure" of a fax machine installed in the office of Governor Satya Pal Malik has given another edge to the show, leading to the dissolution of state legislative assembly on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, both PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and Peoples Conference leader Sajjad Lone made several attempts to contact the governor's office but were unsuccessful due to that of 'faulty' fax machine at the Governor's office. Malik remained at the centre of all talking points as leaders from across anti-BJP parties alleged that dissolving the Assembly within five minutes after Mufti and Sajjad stake claim, cannot be a coincidence.
Taking to his twitter former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah wrote, "JKNC has been pressing for assembly dissolution for 5 months now. It can’t be a coincidence that within minutes of Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba letter staking claim the order to dissolve the assembly suddenly appears".
JKNC has been pressing for assembly dissolution for 5 months now. It can’t be a coincidence that within minutes of Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba letter staking claim the order to dissolve the assembly suddenly appears.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 21, 2018
Replying to the Mehbooba’s complaint on Twitter, Omar took yet another dig at the governor's office, saying “Jammu and Kashmir Raj Bhavan needs a new fax machine urgently.â€
J&K Raj Bhavan needs a new fax machine urgently.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 21, 2018
While staking claims to form the government with the support of the National Conference and the Congress, Mufti wrote, “Have been trying to send this letter to Rajbhavan. Strangely the fax is not received. Tried to contact HE Governor on phone. Not available. Hope you see it @jandkgovernor.â€Â “Sending the letter also by mail".
Have been trying to send this letter to Rajbhavan. Strangely the fax is not received. Tried to contact HE Governor on phone. Not available. Hope you see it @jandkgovernor pic.twitter.com/wpsMx6HTa8
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 21, 2018
Soon after, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the state assembly as both Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference leader Sajjad Lone and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti staked claim to form the government in the state.
A surprised Mufti, later, taunted about the faulty machine, wondering how it is possible that in the age of technology, the fax machine in a governor's office was not working.
"PS - In today’s 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," the PDP chief tweeted along with a curious emoji.
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
The order to dissolve the Jammu and Kashmir assembly passed barely minutes after Mehbooba Mufti claimed for the formation of the government in alliance with Congress with outside support from National Conference, taking their collective total to 56. Followed by people’s Conference Chairman, Sajjad Lone claimed that he has the support of 26 BJP legislators and 18 others, which would cross the majority mark of 44.
