Jammu, Mar 02: As Jammu and Kashmirprepares for its first budget session in seven years, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led multiple meetings with coalition partners to ensure the smooth functioning of the House during the upcoming session. The political temperature in Jammu has been rising as various political parties and legislators convened to discuss strategies for the session, which is set to begin tomorrow, March 3.
Omar chaired a joint meeting of the coalition partners, which included Congress, CPI(M), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and independent legislators. This meeting was focused on forming a cohesive strategy to present a united front against the opposition during the budget session. National Conference (NC) and Congress also conducted separate meetings to fine-tune their respective strategies.
The 40-day long budget session will commence with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s address to the House at 10:30 am, after which the proceedings will begin. Sources revealed that the primary focus of the joint meeting was to ensure close coordination and cooperation among the coalition partners, while maintaining the decorum of the House throughout the session.
A source close to the meeting mentioned that Omar emphasized putting up a collective face against the opposition and supporting Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather in maintaining the decorum of the assembly. “We will support the Speaker in keeping the session smooth and productive,” the source said.
In a separate meeting, Congress legislative party leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir reiterated his party’s stand on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. “It is a tradition for both ruling and opposition parties to hold legislature party meetings before an assembly session. These meetings help us discuss important issues that need to be raised in the House,” Mir told reporters.
Mir pointed out that only four-and-a-half months had passed since the formation of the new government, and while the budget had already been finalized, there were challenges in addressing public concerns in the upcoming budget. However, he expressed hope that the budget would address key public issues and lay the foundation for implementing the government’s manifesto for the 2025-26 financial year.
Mir also emphasized the statehood issue, which had been discussed in the previous assembly session in Srinagar. “The BJP-led central government should fulfill its commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir,” Mir urged, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier promises that statehood would be restored after the reorganization, delimitation, and elections. “Now that the delimitation and assembly elections are done, it’s high time for the government to keep its word,” Mir added.
As for the PDP’s proposed bills on banning alcohol and granting property rights to residents on public land, Mir said that such matters would be decided by the House. “But I wonder why the PDP did not introduce such bills when it was in power with the BJP,” he remarked.
Following the NC’s meeting, senior party leader Mubarak Gul, MLA from Eidgah, expressed confidence in the party’s role during the upcoming session. He stated that NC’s focus would be on resolving people’s issues and ensuring that the legislative process is uninterrupted. “We have been given a huge mandate by the people, and we must respect that by addressing their concerns in the House,” Gul said. He further stressed that NC would cooperate with the Speaker to ensure that the House operates smoothly and that people’s issues are raised effectively.
He also pointed out that while the opposition had the right to hold the government accountable, it was important to maintain the decorum of the House. “Disrupting the proceedings unnecessarily is not acceptable,” Gul said.
Mir also spoke on the coalition dharma, highlighting that all coalition partners would follow the parliamentary practices during the session. “We will put up a united face against the opposition and maintain coalition harmony throughout the session,” he added.
CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami also participated in the joint meeting, alongside the lone legislator from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Independent legislators who are part of the government were also present, contributing to the discussions aimed at ensuring a smooth session.
Budget Session to begin with LG’s address, obituary references
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will begin its Budget Session on March 3, 2025, with an address by Lieutenant Governor at 10:00 am.
The Speaker will then table a copy of the LG’s speech for the members of the House.
As part of the session’s first-day proceedings, the Panel of Chairmen will be an-nounced by the Speaker.
The House will also observe obituary references for several prominent leaders who have passed away, including former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, former min-ister Syed Ghulam Hussain Geelani, former MP Shamsher Singh Manhas, and former MLAs Ghulam Hassan Parrey and Choudhary Paira Singh.
