Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 29: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will elect the Leader and Deputy Leader of its Legislature Party at Srinagar on November 3, a day prior to holding of first ever session of newly constituted Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of J&K.
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According to high placed party sources, the two national observers appointed by party high command including Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Prahlad Joshi and party national general secretary, in-charge J&K and Ladakh UTs, Tarun Chugh are visiting Srinagar on November 3 to supervise the election of Legislature Party Leader and Deputy Leader.
Sources said all the 29 MLAs of the party have been asked to reach Srinagar by November 3 to participate in the meeting of electing Legislature Party Leader and Deputy Leader one day prior to holding of first ever session of newly constituted Legislative Assembly of J&K UT which will begin on November 4 for a brief period. The meeting will be held at 12 noon, sources added.
Sources did not divulge the name of the probable candidates for the post of LOP and Deputy Leader saying that in BJP everything is done democratically and in a transparent manner. The MLAs are free to choose the Leader and Deputy Leader under the supervision of two national observers, sources added.
Sources said though the ruling National Conference (NC) has offered the post of Deputy Speaker to BJP as main opposition party in the House by maintaining the conventions of Parliamentary democracy, the party is not in a hurry in the appointment of Deputy Speaker and his election will be delayed for time being.
Sources said that after the election of the Leader and Deputy leader by the party, the BJP high command may also take a decision on nomination of five members including two from displaced Kashmiri Pandit community, one from PoJK refugees and two women and their nominations can be announced at any time in near future.
Many leaders from Kashmiri displaced Pandits, PoJK refugees and women activists of the party are in race. However, no names have been finalised by the party as yet though the recommendations have already been made by the party’s UT leadership soon after the declaration of results of the Assembly elections early this month.
Meanwhile, BJP working president, Sat Sharma said that his party will perform the role of constructive opposition in the House and ensure that both regions of the UT get equal treatment and there should be no discrimination against any region as has been a practice in the past.
He said BJP has got a massive mandate from Jammu region and party is morally bound to be watchdog of people’s rights and national interests on which it will make no compromise. “However, for constructive and healthy opposition BJP will support every decision of the Government that will be taken in the larger interests of the nation and people of both regions of the UT, he added.
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