Omar decides to step down as caretaker Chief Minister

The political impasse in Jammu and Kashmir has taken a new turn with Omar Abdullah deciding not to continue as caretaker Chief Minister, arguing that the state needed a full-time administrator to deal with the situation along the border with Pakistan.
Omar met state Governor N N Vohra in Delhi last night soon after his return from London after a 12-day visit to his ailing parents and is understood have conveyed that he wished to be relieved of the position of caretaker Chief Minister.
He was asked to continue as caretaker Chief Minister on December 24 after his resignation in the wake of defeat of his party, National Conference (NC), in the Assembly poll on December 23. NC could manage only 15 seats. PDP emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats followed by BJP with 25 in the 87-member House.

Following the hung verdict, BJP has been in touch with both NC and PDP for government formation but nothing concrete has emerged so far to break the deadlock. NC does not appear to be in favour of joining hands with BJP and PDP is struggling to convince its cadres for a tie up with the saffron party.
The new Government is required to be constituted before January 19 when the term of the current Assembly expires failing which Governor's rule looks inevitable. Omar's decision means such a rule may have to be imposed earlier.
The Governor, according to the sources, will now be submitting a report to the President in which he may recommend a spell of Governor's rule to avert a Constitutional breakdown.