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1st LD Writethru: India imposes direct rule in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

A direct rule was imposed by New Delhi on Indian-controlled Kashmir Friday after pro-India parties in the restive region failed to stake claim for government formation, officials said.

"With the approval of the president of India, Governor's rule has been imposed in the state under Section 92(1) of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir (Indian-controlled Kashmir) with effect from Jan. 8, 2015," a government spokesman said.

Under Governor's rule New Delhi would be directly running affairs of the region through their representative, the governor.

The recently concluded elections brought a hung verdict with no party winning a clear majority in the region.

Efforts by the parties to cobble up a coalition too could not yield results despite hectic consultations over more than a fortnight.

The region's pro-India People's Democratic Party (PDP) won 28 seats and emerged as the largest party. It was followed by right- wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won 25 seats.

Both the parties fell short of seats but could not cobble up a coalition to make the magic figure of 44 seats (a majority) in the 87-strong Assembly (lawmaking body).

The ruling National Conference won 15 seats, while the weakened Congress party and independents won 12 and seven seats respectively.

"In the past two weeks the governor held consultations with the leadership of PDP and BJP, the two parties which had secured the largest and the second largest number of seats in the Assembly, respectively. However, no party or group of parties has so far staked claim to form the next government," the spokesman said.

The efforts to hasten direct rule came Thursday after the region's caretaker Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed Governor N N Vohra that he would be stepping down permanently, for according to him the region needed a full-time administrator and not a caretaker.

The development was followed with Vohra submitting a report to the Indian president advocating Governor's rule in the region.

Governor's rule is being imposed in the region for the sixth time since 1977.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Endi