Jammu and Kashmir parties hail end of President's rule, say it is good for democracy

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday welcomed the end of President's rule in the Union Territory (UT), terming it a step towards restoration of statehood and dignity of the people of the region.

President's rule was withdrawn in J&K on Sunday evening, clearing the way for the formation of a new government. The Union home ministry issued a gazette notification stating that the order dated October 31, 2019, in relation to J&K would be revoked immediately before the appointment of the chief minister under Section 54 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.



"It is better late than never. End of the President's rule is important for the democracy of the country. They should have respected the mandate of the people and restored statehood immediately," said Ali Muhammad Sagar of National Conference, who won the assembly election for the fifth consecutive term from Khanyar constituency.

President's rule was imposed in the erstwhile state of J&K in December 2018, six months after the BJP withdrew its support to the PDP-BJP government. Later, following the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 (A) on August 5, 2019, when J&K was downgraded into two UTs of J&K and Ladakh, central rule was extended in the region till October 13, 2024.


People's Democratic Party leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para, who won from Pulwama constituency in southern Kashmir, said that ending the President's rule is the right step in the process of restoring democracy and dignity and protecting the identity of the people of the region.

"People are again taking possession of their resources and government. People have voted for restoration of the special status and statehood of J&K. It is a step toward a process where we can start reclaiming whatever we have lost in the last six years," said Para.