SRINAGAR: The first session of newly elected Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will be held in Srinagar from November 4. The session, which will start with election of Speaker and address of Lt Governor, will last for five days.
It remains to be seen whether the Omar Abdullah-led NC government would pass a resolution on Article 370 restoration in the first Assembly session as was promised by Omar during the election campaigning for Assembly polls.
The schedule for the first Assembly session was released by Protem Speaker Mubarak Gul after approval from Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. The session will begin at 10.30 am on November 4 to elect the Assembly speaker.
Senior National Conference leaders and former ministers Abdur Rahim Rather and Ali Mohammad Sagar are hot favourites for the Speaker’s post. Sources said the Speaker may be elected unopposed as BJP may vote in favour of the Speaker in return for being offered Deputy Speaker’s post.
After election of Speaker, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha would address the legislators.
The Assembly session of November 5 will have obituary references while discussion on motion of thanks on LT Governor’s address would be held on November 6 and 7. The discussion on motion of thanks on LG’s address and reply thereof will be conducted on November 8.
During the session, all eyes will be on the Lt Governor’s address as his speech would set tone for engagement between the newly elected legislators and the administration.
It would be also very interesting to see if NC moves a resolution on Article 370 restoration during the first session of the Assembly.