SRINAGAR, Oct 23: The autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly began on Thursday on a solemn note, with legislators paying homage to several departed leaders, even as the opening day was marked by protests and political tension.
Before proceedings commenced, members of the ruling National Conference (NC) and Congress staged a silent protest on the Assembly premises, demanding the release of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, detained under the Public Safety Act in September for allegedly disturbing public order in Doda.
As the House convened, NC MLA Hilal Lone raised the issue of Malik’s arrest but was asked by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to take his seat, with the assurance that he would be allowed to speak later. The Speaker urged members to utilize the nine-day session effectively, noting that several leaders had passed away since the previous sitting.
The session opened with obituary references, honouring former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik, who died on August 5, and other departed leaders including Gulchain Singh Charak, Dina Nath Bhagat, Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, Ramesh Arora, Sardar Mohammad Akhlaq Khan, and Mohammad Sultan Pandithpori.
The House will on Friday elect four Rajya Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir—seats that have remained vacant since 2021. With the NC enjoying a majority, three of its candidates are expected to win easily, while the fourth seat will witness a close contest between BJP’s Sat Pal Sharma and NC’s Imran Nabi Dar, who may seek support from PDP, AAP, and the Awami Ittehad Party.
Officials said the session is likely to be stormy, with debates expected over restoration of statehood, reservation policy, and regularisation of daily wagers. The opposition is also set to question the NC government on its one-year performance and fulfillment of election promises.
During the nine-day sitting, legislators have submitted 450 questions, 13 private members’ bills, and over 50 resolutions for debate. The Assembly will also take up nearly three dozen pending bills introduced during the budget session. (Agencies)
