Srinagar, Apr 17, : Even after more than five months since the formation of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the post of Deputy Speaker continues to remain vacant, raising questions over the delay and lack of political consensus.
According to Section 19(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the Assembly is required to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker “as soon as may be” after its constitution. However, despite this legal provision, no efforts have been made to initiate the election process for the Deputy Speaker so far.
By parliamentary convention, the Deputy Speaker’s chair is typically reserved for the largest opposition party in the Assembly. In past governments, this tradition has been upheld. During the PDP-BJP coalition, the National Conference with just 15 seats was given the post, with Nazir Gurezi serving as Deputy Speaker. Similarly, in the Congress-NC government, the role was held by PDP’s Sartaj Madni.
At present, the BJP holds 28 seats in the Assembly, making it the largest opposition party. However, sources indicate that the National Conference, currently leading the government, has neither shown interest nor opposition to the idea of offering the Deputy Speaker’s position to the BJP. This silence has added to the uncertainty around the issue.
The continued vacancy has triggered concerns among legal and political observers who believe that the delay undermines legislative norms and the democratic structure of the Assembly. “The post of Deputy Speaker is not symbolic. It ensures proper functioning of the House, especially in the absence of the Speaker,” a senior legislative expert noted.
While no official statement has been made, insiders believe the delay may be linked to ongoing political maneuvering or reluctance to hand over a significant legislative role to the opposition BJP. The situation remains fluid, with no clarity on when the election for the Deputy Speaker will finally be held.
Observers say that with each passing session, the absence of a Deputy Speaker could affect the efficiency and neutrality expected in the proceedings of the House.
