DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
Srinagar, Nov 4
The inaugural session of the newly elected Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was off to a heated start. It was also the first Assembly session since 2019 when the BJP government abrogated Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its limited autonomy and statehood.
PDP leader Waheed Parra initiated the session by reading a statement against the abrogation of Article 370, sparking a ruckus in the House. Parra, calling for the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, insisted that the issue remains central to the existence of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite objections from BJP legislators, Parra stressed the importance of addressing what he described as the “core concerns” of the region.
As the commotion settled, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took the floor, saying it was not the right time to bring in such a resolution. He remarked that, except for benefiting the cameras, the move had no significance. “Today was not the right time for such a move,” Abdullah said.
Earlier, while congratulating his party colleague Rahim Rather on being elected Speaker of the Assembly, he said Rather was a seasoned leader who has served the state in various roles, recalling his experience during the 2015 PDP-BJP coalition. “You have served in this capacity before… We would want you to listen to us more than others, but given that this House is a representative forum, others will be heard as well,” he said, drawing applause from coalition members.
BJP leader Sunil Sharma also congratulated Rather. Sharma expressed readiness to work collaboratively with him; however, he warned, “Our cooperation should not be misconstrued as weakness,” underscoring the BJP’s commitment to maintaining discipline.
Congress leader G.N. Mir also lauded Rather’s service as a former finance minister, calling him the ideal choice for Speaker. “We hope that in future sessions, we will engage with you on matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir,” he remarked. Mir then requested a workshop for legislators on using technology in Assembly proceedings, noting that modern practices should replace the traditional submission of handwritten questions.
In his remarks, CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami underscored the Assembly’s role in representing the people’s voice, adding that J&K faces a “whirlpool” of challenges. He expressed hope that both the government under Omar Abdullah and the opposition would work together for solutions.
Sajad Lone offered a personal reflection, mentioning that his father had worked with Rather in the past. “This House is a sum of parts, and if we keep together, it will become a whole,” he said, urging the Speaker to maintain impartiality.
As the session proceeded, PDP’s Parra reiterated that while some parties might have fewer members, this should not deny them a voice in the Assembly. He expressed his party’s determination to keep raising the abrogation of Article 370, even though current rules prevent formal discussion on the topic.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had linked the restoration of statehood to the completion of delimitation and elections. Delimitation was completed in May 2022, and elections were held in September and October this year, bringing to power an alliance between the National Conference (NC) and the Congress.
