Satya Pal Malik, Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, has said that Sajjad Lone would have been made the Chief Minister if he listened to the Centre’s instructions, before dissolving the Assembly last week. “If I listened to Delhi, I would have to instal Sajjad Lone as CM. I would have become dishonest forever.” Malik made the remarks as there was a controversy over his non-functional fax machine.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on November 21st sent an official communique to the Raj Bhawan via fax, staking claim to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir in alliance with the Congress and National Conference. Later, she tweeted saying her fax wasn’t going through to the Governor’s Office and hence, she made her decision public as she had no other option in reaching out to the Governor.
After Mehbooba’s claims, Sajjad Lone as tried to send a letter to the Governor staking claim to form the government with the support of BJP MLAs. But, after receiving no response, Lone said he had sent the letter to the Governor PA’s WhatsApp number.
However, in response, Malik added that the PDP and National Conference were not serious about forming the government and wanted to see the state assembly dissolved. He added that he is completely apolitical and isn’t biased towards Lone or the BJP.