| NC dismisses Deputy Speaker row, says statehood, business rules bigger priorities | | Ruling party identifies 5 BJP -ruled states without a Deputy Speaker | | Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 18: Amid growing uncertainty over the appointment of a Deputy Speaker in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the ruling National Conference (NC) on Tuesday brushed aside the demand, asserting that far more pressing issues deserve the government's attention.
"Issues like statehood, business rules, reservation, appointment of Advocate General, etc., are more important than the appointment of Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly," NC chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq said, reacting sharply to the opposition BJP's persistent demand.
Taking to social media soon after, Sadiq turned the charge back on the BJP, pointing out that five BJP-ruled states — Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh — are themselves functioning without a Deputy Speaker. "BJP still protesting why JK doesn't have a Deputy Speaker?" he asked pointedly.
The war of words comes with the next session of the J&K Legislative Assembly set to begin on September 21, still under a cloud of uncertainty over the crucial post, which has remained vacant for nearly two years since the Omar Abdullah-led government took office.
Despite repeated demands from the BJP — which emerged as the principal opposition with 29 seats in the October 2024 elections — the ruling NC has given no “Issues like statehood, business rules, reservation, appointment of Advocate General, etc., are more important than the appointment of Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Five BJP-ruled states — Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh — are themselves functioning without a Deputy Speaker.”
The BJP has pressed its claim, arguing that appointing its nominee would uphold parliamentary tradition and strengthen the functioning of the House. Party leaders say informal communications have already been sent to the government, but no clear response has come back. "The post of Deputy Speaker is important for the smooth functioning of the Assembly. Since the BJP holds the status of principal opposition, the appointment should be made without further delay," a senior BJP leader told Early Times, adding that the move could also help foster better coordination with the Centre.
The Omar Abdullah government, backed by the Congress, CPI(M), and Independents, took office on October 16, 2024. Twenty-two months on, the continued absence of a Deputy Speaker has fuelled speculation that the ruling party may be deliberately stalling the decision to limit the BJP's influence in the House.
Analysts believe the National Conference is treading cautiously, weighing its options against the backdrop of a politically sensitive environment in the Union Territory. With no constitutional deadline forcing an immediate appointment, the prolonged delay continues to add to the uncertainty surrounding the Assembly's functioning. |
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