For the first time in Jammu and Kashmir, five nominated Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will have a significant role in forming the new government following a decade-long hiatus. Akashvani correspondent reports that these MLAs, representing Kashmiri displaced persons and those from Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), will hold full legislative powers and privileges, just like elected representatives.
This will be a milestone in terms of representation for these communities, as their inclusion in the legislative assembly has been a longstanding demand. With this new arrangement, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will expand to 95 members, increasing the majority threshold to 48 seats to form a government.
The Lieutenant Governor will nominate these members based on the advice of the Home Ministry. This process follows an amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which was further revised on July 26, 2023, to introduce these nominations.
Congress has strongly objected to the move of the ruling BJP to get five of its leaders nominated to the Legislative Assembly from LG before the process of government formation in J&K. JKPCC senior vice president and chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma, said that the power to nominate five members to the Legislative Assembly should lie with the new government; otherwise, it would be an attempt to defeat the mandate of the people.