Governor's rule likely in J&K after Omar Abdullah says he wants to quit

Imposition of governor's rule for a short period appears likely in Jammu and Kashmir after caretaker chief minister Omar Abdullah said through several tweets that he wants to be relieved of his duties.

The union home ministry is reported to be making preparations for governor's rule in the state.

According to reports quoting ministry sources, state governor N N Vohra is understood to have sent his report to the Centre on the continuing political deadlock in the state.

Abdullah said that it was his view that Jammu and Kashmir needs a permanent administrator, and that he had asked Governor Vohra to relieve of his caretaker responsibilities after his return from London where he had spent time with his parents. His father and former cabinet minister Farooq Abdullah had recently undergone a kidney transplant there.

Recently-held assembly elections in the state threw up a hung verdict, with the People's Democratic Party securing 28 seats and the BJP 25. The National Conference (15) and the Congress (12) came third and fourth respectively. Forty-four seats were required by any one party to stake a majority claim to form a government in the state. The state assembly has 87 members.