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| Floor statistics paint gloomy picture | | Options: Guv’s rule, Minority/Caretaker Govt | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | June 28
FLOOR TALLY
PARTY MEMBERS
Congress 21 + 8
PDP 16 + 2
NC 25
Panthers Party 04
CPI(M) 02
BJP 01
JSM 01
Independents 07
With the political crisis deepening in the state, the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar is fast becoming the focal point to decide the next course of action.
The government led by the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has been reduced to minority by pulling out of PDP but it has not fallen in technical terms. Under the constitutional provisions it is now for the Governor whether to allow a minority government or impose his rule in the state.
Constitutional experts said that the options were very limited. Either there can Governor’s rule till the elections are held or the Governor can allow a minority or caretaker government
The Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has sounded confident about the stability of his government. The floor figures though do not substantiate claims of the Chief Minister but the possibility of surviving floor test is not ruled out if the situation warrants so.
In the 87-member Legislative Assembly, the Peoples Democratic Party has 18 MLAs including 16 its own elected and two associate members. The Congress has clear support of 29 MLAs including 21 elected as its own and eight associate members. The associate members in the Congress kitty also include three from Ladakh –Nawang Rigzin Jora, Pinto Narboo and Haji Nisar Ali.
The opposition National Conference which had emerged as the single largest party after the 2002 elections bagging 28 seats now stands reduced to 25 members. Among the minor groups are Panthers Party which is presently not a part of the government but in present circumstances after exit of PDD, the Panthers may think of supporting the government.
There are two members from the Communist Party of India (M) who have till date been with the government as outside supporters but their action will have to be watched. The BJP and Jammu State Morcha have one member each while there seven other independent members.
If the Governor asks the Chief Minister to prove strength on floor of the House but may be not only difficult but also possible to do so. The Peoples Democratic Party and the National Conference though are not expected to join hands but both parties, in the given situation, are understood to vote against the government.
Even though it manages support of all independent legislators, the Azad government can not survive a floor test as combined strength of the PDP and National Conference is 43. In the House of 87 members, 44 is the magic number to save the government from falling.
A possibility of holding early elections is also not on the horizons as minimum two months are still required for completion of preparations including the electoral rolls. Elections are normally due in October and it may not be justified to advance the advance the elections by four months. |
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