Srinagar, Oct 14: The Central government on Sunday officially withdrawn President’s Rule from Jammu and Kashmir, setting the stage for a new government in the Union Territory. This decision comes after National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on October 12 and staked his claim to form the new government.

President’s Rule had been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir on June 20, 2018, following the collapse of the coalition government between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party. After six months, on December 20, 2018, the region transitioned to President’s Rule, which has been renewed multiple times since then. The latest renewal occurred on October 31, 2019, coinciding with the Union government’s decision to abrogate Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution and the subsequent bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Following these constitutional changes, the first Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held from September 18 to October 1, with results announced on October 8. The National Conference emerged as the dominant party, winning 42 seats, while Congress secured six seats and its ally, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), won one seat. The Aam Aadmi Party and four Independent MLAs also extended their support to the National Conference, bolstering its position in the new political landscape.