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Assembly session begins today, Opposition to corner Govt on governance, jobs

Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report

Jammu, Sept 20: The stage is set for a heated political contest as the 10-day autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is going to begin on Monday, with opposition parties preparing to aggressively challenge the ruling National Conference (NC) government over a range of public issues, including rising power tariffs, unemployment, and governance concerns.
Ahead of the session, Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather convened an all-party meeting, urging legislators to ensure the smooth functioning of the House and uphold its dignity and decorum. Political parties, however, have already signalled that they will use the session to hold the government accountable on key public concerns.
Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma has intensified outreach efforts in recent days, meeting civil society groups and public delegations across Kashmir to gather feedback on local grievances. After interactions in Baramulla, Anantnag and Srinagar, Sharma said the BJP would strongly raise issues affecting ordinary citizens during the Assembly proceedings.
“We have consistently demanded a longer session so that people's concerns can be adequately addressed. Public issues will remain at the centre of our interventions,” Sharma said.
With political temperatures rising, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have convened meetings of their legislative parties in Srinagar to finalise strategies for the session. The National Conference has also called a meeting of its legislators to prepare for the proceedings.
The People's Democratic Party (PDP), which has four members in the Assembly, said it would focus on i

Interestingly, the Congress, despite being an ally of the ruling NC, is also expected to raise uncomfortable questions for the government. Party legislators are likely to focus on the recent hike in electricity tariffs, the plight of daily-wage workers and concerns over delays in administrative and developmental work.

sues directly impacting the public. PDP legislative leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra said unemployment and youth-related concerns would be among the party's top priorities.
“The government must be held accountable for its promises and performance.
Governance, employment and youth welfare are issues that require immediate attention,” Parra said.
Interestingly, the Congress, despite being an ally of the ruling NC, is also expected to raise uncomfortable questions for the government. Party legislators are likely to focus on the recent hike in electricity tariffs, the plight of daily-wage workers and concerns over delays in administrative and developmental work.
The autumn session, scheduled to run until September 30, is expected to witness intense debates as opposition parties seek answers from the treasury benches on matters affecting citizens across Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing political leaders ahead of the session, Speaker Rather stressed the importance of meaningful and constructive debate. He reminded legislators that the Assembly remains the primary forum through which public grievances and concerns are articulated.
“People are closely watching the proceedings of the House and how their elected representatives raise issues of public importance. Every member carries a responsibility to uphold the dignity of the legislature while engaging in constructive discussion focused on public welfare,” the Speaker said.
With unemployment, electricity charges, governance challenges and public service delivery likely to dominate the agenda, the session is expected to test the government's ability to defend its record against an increasingly assertive opposition.