Stormy Assembly Session on cards as opposition gears up to corner govt

Srinagar, Oct 23: The nine-day autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, beginning today, is expected to witness heated exchanges as opposition parties prepare to confront the Omar Abdullah-led government on multiple fronts.

According to the provisional calendar issued by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, the session will open on October 23 with obituary references, followed by six days of legislative business. October 24 and 25 will be non-sitting days the first due to the Rajya Sabha biennial polls for four seats from J&K and the second designated as a holiday.

Government business is slated for October 27, 30, and 31, while October 28 and 29 will be reserved for Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions, respectively.

Sources within the Assembly Secretariat said the opposition is planning to mount pressure on the ruling coalition over issues such as governance lapses, unfulfilled election promises, statehood restoration, and reservation-related matters.

Ahead of the session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a legislative meeting with National Conference (NC) and independent legislators to finalise the party’s floor strategy. CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami also attended the meeting.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) met separately under the chairmanship of JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra to discuss its agenda. “We reaffirm our commitment to raise people’s concerns effectively and uphold the dignity of the Assembly,” Karra said after the meeting.

Opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference (PC), and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), are expected to take up the issues of statehood restoration, reservation restructuring, and unemployment.

Meanwhile, the Assembly Secretariat has disallowed a resolution moved by PC president Sajad Gani Lone seeking restoration of J&K’s statehood, citing the matter as sub judice.

During the session, three key government bills will be tabled, including proposed amendments to the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, and the GST Act, 2017, as well as the introduction of the J&K Shops and Business Establishments Bill, 2025.

In total, 450 questions, 13 private members’ bills, and 55 private members’ resolutions have been submitted for consideration. The Secretariat has also listed 33 pending private members’ bills from the previous session for possible discussion on October 28.

The Business Advisory Committee met on Wednesday in the Speaker’s office to finalise the schedule and time allocation for the upcoming proceedings.

Observers say the session is likely to be “contentious yet crucial." (KNC)