New Delhi/Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir was on Friday put under Governor’s Rule — the sixth time since 1977 — after the PDP, which emerged as the single largest party, and the BJP failed to cobble up the required numbers to form government.

A blame game has begun among political parties with former chief minister and NC leader Omar Abdullah blaming PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed for bringing the state under Governor’s Rule and accusing him of continuing the deadlock over government formation to get a full six-year term as CM. The PDP hit back at Mr Abdullah on Friday, saying there was time till January 19 to form government and that he had forced the present situation on the state.

An official statement issued Friday evening in Jammu said Governor’s Rule has been imposed under Section 92(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution under which this can be done by issuing a proclamation after the governor is satisfied about the failure of the constitutional machinery in the state.