With the budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly beginning in the first week of March, the BJP expects the ruling alliance of the National Conference and Congress to follow the tradition of offering the deputy speaker’s post to the opposition.
In 2014, when the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP allied, the deputy speaker’s post in the assembly was offered to the National Conference (NC). However, the ruling alliance has maintained silence on the matter since assuming office in October 2024.
CM @OmarAbdullah concluded pre-budget consultations in Kashmir, engaging with public representatives from Shopian & Kupwara.
— Information & PR, J&K (@diprjk) February 13, 2025
In a bid to ensure inclusive and need-based budgeting, the CM held discussions with DDC Chairpersons & MLAs, emphasizing priority on time-bound projects… pic.twitter.com/tTNXHTSw88
In the 90-member house, the NC-Congress alliance has 48 members. With the support of a few independents, the alliance's strength is more than 50.
The opposition BJP emerged as the second-largest party with 29 seats. However, due to the death of the party’s Nagrota MLA, Devinder Singh Rana, its current strength is 28.
The party’s strength is likely to cross 30 after the nomination of five MLAs, including two from the migrant Kashmiri Pandit community, one woman, and one from Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir Refugees (POJKR). Most of these nominated MLAs are likely to join the BJP. This will also boost the saffron party’s chances of getting two of the four members to join the Rajya Sabha if it is able to win the support of some independents in the house.
The BJP has called for filling the deputy speaker’s post before the budget session.
Senior BJP leaders, including former deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta, stressed the importance of appointing a deputy speaker in line with democratic traditions. “This issue needs to be addressed through mutual consultation,” Gupta told The Week. “Opposition is adjusted; that is how it has been traditionally.” He said they have no idea what the government is thinking. “Only they can tell what their stand is on the issue,” he added.
He noted that there has been no discussion with the government so far.
Observers point out that the government will need to accommodate the BJP as per convention. However, the government has not indicated that the deputy speaker’s post will be given to the BJP. The suspense has heightened uncertainty over the matter.
