According to sources intense speculations, conspiracy theories, threats and counter threats later the five nominated MLAs in Jammu & kashmir (J&K) assembly may no longer be the deciding factor in the upcoming legislature. As exit polls predicted a tight contest between the National Conference-Congress and bharatiya janata party (BJP), the valley had become the centrepoint of conspiracy theories. The BJP’s opponents claimed that the Lieutenant General (LG) would nominate five MLAs and “snatch the mandate from the NC-led alliance". NC’s farooq abdullah had threatened to knock on the doors of the supreme court (SC), while bjp members had said under the J&K Reorganisation act, the lg has the power to nominate five MLAs without the aid and advice of the cm and his cabinet.
Perhaps the reason for the intense debate over the past three days was the fact that the five nominated members had the right to vote, effectively making the halfway mark in the 90-member assembly 48. Exit pollsters, however, were proved wrong as the NC-Congress alliance seems on course to comfortably cross the majority numbers needed to form the government.
Moreover both prime minister Narendra Modi and Shah have assured that statehood would be restored in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the NC is apprehensive about the intention of the BJP. During the release of the manifesto, Abdullah had said his party would move the sc if statehood was not restored. This how the statehood will be restored and with what powers could be the first point of clash. Section 57 of the J&K Reorganisation Act abolished the legislature of the erstwhile J&K. The act also gave all powers to lg leading to doubts whether a Delhi-like model will be followed by J&K on statehood.
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