On August 7, 2019, the 10th Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir saw a shift in political power as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) withdrew its support from the People`s Democratic Party (PDP), which had been in power since March 2015. The move paved the way for the imposition of President`s rule in the state, which lasted until the state was bifurcated into two Union Territories on October 31, 2019.
Following the bifurcation, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was placed under the direct control of the central government, with Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu as its head. The administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh, on the other hand, was handed over to Radha Krishna Mathur.
In the months that followed, the new administration worked towards establishing a governing agreement for the 10th Legislative Assembly. On February 11, 2020, it was announced that a parliamentary and governing agreement had been reached between the BJP and the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP), led by Syed Altaf Bukhari.
Under the agreement, the BJP and JKAP agreed to work together to address the issues faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir and to strengthen the democratic institutions in the Union Territory. The two parties also pledged to work towards the development of the region, with a particular focus on the agriculture and tourism sectors.
The parliamentary and governing agreement also included provisions for the political empowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It was announced that elections for the District Development Councils (DDCs) and the Block Development Councils (BDCs) would be held in the Union Territory, providing an opportunity for people to participate in the democratic process at the grassroots level.
The agreement also addressed the issue of the release of political detainees, stating that the central government would review the cases of those detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA). It was announced that a committee would be set up to review the cases of those detained and to make recommendations on their release.
The parliamentary and governing agreement for the 10th Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir represents a significant step forward in the effort to restore normalcy and stability in the region. By working together, the BJP and JKAP have demonstrated a commitment to addressing the issues faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir and to strengthening democratic institutions in the Union Territory. As the region moves forward, it is hoped that this partnership will continue to help foster a sense of unity and progress in Jammu and Kashmir.