Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 2: With the untimely and heartbreaking demise of Nagrota MLA Devinder Singh Rana, the opposition is forced to devise its strategy for electing the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly.
Keeping in view his past experience and knowledge of the functioning of the government, Devinder Singh Rana was certain to be elected as LoP as the BJP’s high command has already sounded the departed leader about the new responsibility.
Highly placed sources said that a week before his untimely demise, the BJP high command had informed Devinder Singh Rana that he would be given the responsibility of LoP in the J&K Assembly to take the National Conference government.
“The untimely demise of Rana has shocked the BJP ‘s central leadership and now the party would devise its strategy for electing LoP as well as Deputy Speaker”, sources said.
As reported earlier, the BJP is set to elect its Legislature Party Leader and Deputy Leader in Srinagar on November 3, one day before the inaugural session of the newly constituted Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
High-ranking party sources reveal that two national observers—Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Prahlad Joshi, and the party's National General Secretary and in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh UTs, Tarun Chugh—have been appointed by the party's Keeping in view his past experience and knowledge of the functioning of the government, Devender Singh Rana was certain to be elected as LoP.
A week before his untimely demise, the BJP high command had informed Devinder Singh Rana that he would be given the responsibility of LoP in the J&K Assembly.
The BJP is set to elect its Legislature Party Leader and Deputy Leader in Srinagar on November 3, one day before the inaugural session of the newly constituted Legislative Assembly.
BJP conducts internal elections democratically and transparently, allowing MLAs to choose their leaders under the guidance of the national observers.
They will oversee the election process of the Legislature Party's leadership positions. BJP's Legislature Party leader will be the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. All BJP MLAs have been instructed to assemble in Srinagar by November 3 to participate in this key meeting, scheduled for noon.
While specific candidates for the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) and Deputy Leader posts remain undisclosed, sources emphasized that BJP conducts internal elections democratically and transparently, allowing MLAs to choose their leaders under the guidance of the national observers.
Additionally, it was noted that although the ruling National Conference (NC) has offered BJP, as the main opposition, the Deputy Speaker position in accordance with parliamentary democratic conventions, BJP is in no rush to make this appointment. Instead, it plans to delay the election of the Deputy Speaker for the time being.
Following the election of the Legislature Party Leader and Deputy Leader, the BJP high command may also finalize the nomination of five additional members to the Legislative Assembly. This list may include two members from the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community, one from PoJK refugees, and two women representatives. Various leaders from these groups are reportedly in consideration, though final selections have yet to be made by the party's central leadership. | 