Jammu, 17-10-2024: Veteran National Conference leader Abdul Rahim Rather is poised to take on the role of Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, according to insider sources within the party. The National Conference (NC), which secured the highest number of seats in the recent elections, is also preparing to extend the position of Deputy Speaker to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the second-largest party in the assembly. As the main opposition party, the NC aims to foster a collaborative environment in the newly formed assembly.
Abdul Rahim Rather, a seasoned politician and a seven-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), is seen as a strong candidate for the Speaker position. His extensive experience, having served in various capacities, including as the Finance Minister, positions him as a reliable choice for overseeing the assembly’s operations. Along with Ali Mohammad Sagar, Rather has been elected to the assembly for the seventh consecutive term. Party insiders suggest that Rather’s seasoned political acumen will be invaluable in ensuring a smooth legislative process, especially given the unique status of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory.
Mubarak Gul, who previously served as Speaker during the NC-Congress coalition government, is anticipated to be sworn in as the Pro-tem Speaker. His appointment is expected to occur on Monday, following a formal ceremony where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer his oath. The Pro-tem Speaker will play a crucial role in facilitating the oath-taking of newly elected MLAs and overseeing the election of the new Speaker.
The election for the Speaker position will be conducted by the Pro-tem Speaker, with expectations that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be elected unanimously. The NC leadership’s offer to the BJP for the Deputy Speaker role reflects a strategic move to maintain a cooperative legislative environment. The BJP holds 29 seats in the assembly, while the National Conference has garnered 42, making it the largest party in the house. Additionally, five independent MLAs and one AAP MLA have pledged their support to the National Conference, enhancing its legislative strength.
It is noteworthy that in previous government configurations, the Deputy Speaker position was held by the NC even when the party was in a minority position, demonstrating a willingness to collaborate across party lines. This was evident in 2015 when the PDP-BJP coalition appointed Nazir Gurezi from the NC as Deputy Speaker while the Speaker position was held by BJP leaders Kavinder Gupta and Dr. Nirmal Singh.
While the NC has yet to formally communicate its decision to the BJP leadership regarding the Deputy Speaker post, party sources indicate that this will occur in due course. The first session of the newly formed Legislative Assembly is anticipated to take place in the first week of November, marking a significant moment in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.
The National Conference and Congress, having formed a pre-poll alliance, collectively won 48 seats—enough to reach the majority threshold in the assembly. This collaboration includes the nomination of five additional MLAs, raising the assembly’s total strength from 90 to 95. The NC secured 42 seats, while the Congress obtained six, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) winning one seat. The NC’s ability to garner support from independent MLAs reinforces its standing in the assembly and illustrates the party’s commitment to inclusive governance.