Srinagar, Oct 3: For the first time in the political history of Jammu and Kashmir, five nominated Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are poised to play a decisive role in the formation of the next government after a decade-long hiatus in state-level elections.
These nominated MLAs, representing displaced Kashmiri Pandits and those from Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), will hold full legislative powers, equal to those of elected members. Their inclusion marks a significant step towards addressing the long-standing demands of these communities for formal representation in the legislative process.
two of the five nominated members will be from the Kashmiri displaced community, including one woman and one man, while another seat will be reserved for a representative from the POJK displaced population.
The nomination of these members is being hailed as a historic milestone, bringing long-overdue representation to communities that have been sidelined from the region’s political landscape. The expanded Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will now have 95 members, with the majority threshold increasing to 48 seats for government formation.
The nomination process will be overseen by the Lieutenant Governor, based on recommendations from the Home Ministry, following an amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. This amendment, revised on July 26, 2023, allows for the nomination of these MLAs, a move modeled after the legislative structure of Puducherry, where nominated members also hold legislative powers.
Political analysts believe this development could address the unique challenges faced by displaced Kashmiri Pandits and POJK residents, offering them a formal platform to voice their concerns. Observers suggest that the nomination process could commence shortly after vote counting concludes on October 8, with the new government likely forming by mid-October.
Lobbying for these new seats has intensified, with influential figures from political circles, including prominent leaders from the BJP and the POJK region, vying for nominations. A senior BJP leader, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the process for selecting these MLAs will begin immediately after election results are declared, ensuring their swift inclusion in the new government.
