Deputy Speaker Post Remains Vacant as J&K Assembly Session Nears, NC-Congress Rift Deepens

With just six days left for the autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to begin, the National Conference-led government has yet to take a decision on the appointment of the Deputy Speaker of the House.

The autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is scheduled to begin on September 21 in Srinagar.

Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has already issued a 10-day calendar for the session, which will be held before the government shifts its offices to Jammu under the annual Darbar Move.

As reported earlier, the ruling National Conference (NC) was mulling the possibility of offering the Deputy Speaker's post and one ministerial berth to its coalition partner, the Congress. However, the chances of the proposal now appear bleak following a recent war of words between the two coalition partners over the singing of the full stanzas of the national song, Vande Mataram.

The NC government, supported by the Congress, CPI(M) and Independents, assumed office on October 16, 2024. However, nearly two years after the formation of the government, the key constitutional position of Deputy Speaker remains vacant, with the opposition, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seeking clarity over the delay.

Following the October 2024 Assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the principal opposition party with 29 seats. As per a long-standing legislative convention, the Deputy Speaker's post is generally offered to the largest opposition party, allowing it to play a meaningful role in the functioning of the House. On this basis, the BJP has been expecting its nominee to be appointed to the post.

As reported earlier, BJP leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have repeatedly raised concerns over the delay and urged the government to adhere to parliamentary conventions. Party sources said informal communications had been made with the ruling dispensation, but no definitive response had been received so far.

"The post of Deputy Speaker is important for the smooth functioning of the Assembly. It is an established convention that the position goes to the principal opposition party. Since the BJP holds that status, the appointment should be made without further delay," a senior BJP leader said.

The leader added that appointing a Deputy Speaker from the opposition would send a positive political signal and could also help the NC-led government foster better coordination with the Centre.

Despite growing pressure from the opposition, the Omar Abdullah-led government has not issued any official statement on the matter. Political observers believe the ruling party is weighing its options carefully, given the sensitive and complex political environment in Jammu and Kashmir.

While there is no constitutional mandate requiring the immediate appointment of a Deputy Speaker, the prolonged vacancy has fuelled speculation about possible political calculations. Some analysts suggest that the NC may be deliberately delaying the decision to limit the BJP's influence in the House.

With the autumn session of the J&K Legislative Assembly scheduled to begin on September 21, the issue of the Deputy Speaker's appointment is expected to gain further prominence. Until a decision is taken, the Legislative Assembly will continue to function without a Deputy Speaker, adding another layer of political uncertainty to the functioning of the Union Territory's elected government.

Appointment of Deputy Speaker not very important: NC

On August 18, chief spokesperson of the ruling National Conference, Tanvir Sadiq, said that the appointment of a Deputy Speaker was not a priority for the government and asserted that several other pressing issues deserved its 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 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 — were 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 ahead of the next session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, which is scheduled to begin on September 21, with uncertainty still surrounding the crucial post that has remained vacant since the Omar Abdullah-led government took office.

Despite repeated demands from the BJP, which emerged as the principal opposition party with 29 seats in the October 2024 elections, the ruling NC has given no indication of whether it intends to follow the long-standing convention of offering the post to the largest opposition party.