Is the Centre Trying to Replace J&K Governor With One of Its Loyalists?

Amid the political uncertainty following the severance of BJP-PDP ties, Jammu and Kashmir will reportedly have a new governor in a few weeks, ending the 10-year-long incumbency of Governor NN Vohra. The revelation was made by BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, as quoted by a media report. “The government can think about the future, take what steps it thinks are best. I assume there will be a new governor soon,” The Print quoted Madhav as saying.

Experts believe that this has added more to the political chaos in the state. According to the reports, the names of Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao and former Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi are in the list of next possible successors of Vohra. Rao has been a “committed activist of the RSS” for several decades.

According to the sources, Vohra has soured his relationship with the Centre following a difference of opinion over the restoration of the assembly and Article 35A, which provides special privileges to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Right now we prefer to continue governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir. We are in favour of continuing the state of suspended animation of the assembly. But we will have to see how politics happens,” said Madhav, according to a media report.

A few days ago, in an exclusive conversation with Newsclick, former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta had said that they are going to form the government by next month. “Yes, we are surely going to form the government by next month. Government is on the cards. Chances are that we might form an alliance with Sajjad Lone, but never with PDP,” he had said.

Madhav also hinted towards the alliance of National Conference, PDP and Congress. “What if the National Conference and Congress and PDP come together? They have the numbers. But we are in favour of continuing governor’s rule, and after that, perhaps, President’s rule for next six months,” he said.

Gupta told Newsclick, “Ram Madhav is keeping the situation of Kashmir in mind and hence, he thinks that we should continue with governor’s rule. The situation in Kashmir is uncertain and we can’t take any coherent decision right now. But, Centre is working on the formation of the new government, may be not right now, but later.”

However, speculations are doing rounds that BJP is planning to form the government with dissident MLAs from PDP, its former ally. “I can’t say anything on this right now. It’s uncertain,” said Gupta.

Newsclick tried contacting Madhav, but was unable to get through.