ExBJP MLA Bhagat moves SC challenging governor’s order

JAMMU: Former BJP MLA from RS Pura constituency of Jammu district, Gagan Bhagat, on Thursday filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court, challenging the order of J&K governor Satya Pal Malik, by virtue of which he had dissolved the legislative assembly on November 21.

Bhagat said, “My voters elected me for six years. The legislative assembly was kept in suspended animation for over five months. However, when two leaders staked claimed to form a government, he dissolved it in a late nigh move.”

Bhagat said the governor had recently stated that he was under pressure and had he listened to the BJP, he would have to install Sajjad Lone as the chief minister.

However, on Tuesday a Raj Bhavan spokesperson issued a clarification saying that Malik had acted in an ‘objective and impartial manner’ while taking the decision.

“If the governor is working under some sort of pressure, he can’t deliver and how can we expect justice from him. If he had taken the decision (of dissolving the assembly) under pressure then it was not in the interest of the people,” Bhagat said. “The state has seen the governor’s rule umpteen times. Above all, no floor test was conducted despite claims by two groups (Mehbooba Mufti and Sajad Lone),” he said.

“The governor’s claim of horse-trading among MLAs and terror threats to them has not gone down well. He should have brought the evidence and reasons in public domain. Also, names of those MLAs who are facing threat should be revealed. The governor also stated that NIA was threatening PDP MLAs. All this should be brought in public domain. Democracy doesn’t work under intimidation,” Bhagat said, adding that these were sufficient reasons to file the petition.

The writ petition has been admitted by the apex court and will be heard within three days, probably before Monday.

Bhagat said that he has moved the apex court in the capacity of a member of the legislaitive assembly and not as a BJP member.

“The political party (BJP) may have its own version but I say that the House should run because they ensure funds, which in turn see developmental works of the people,” he said.