Congress Opposes Plan To Nominate 5 MLAs Ahead Of Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024

In a significant development ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024, the Congress party has expressed strong opposition to the proposed nomination of five MLAs before the formation of the new government.

This marks the first time in a decade that nominated MLAs will play a crucial role in the state's governance.

Congress Opposes Plan To Nominate 5 MLAs

According to reports, the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) will appoint these five members based on recommendations from the Home Ministry. This process follows an amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, which was revised on July 26, 2023, to allow for such nominations. If implemented, this will expand the Jammu and Kashmir assembly to 95 members, raising the majority threshold to 48 seats for forming a government.

Ravinder Sharma, senior vice president and chief spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), condemned the move, stating, "We oppose the nomination of five MLAs by the lieutenant governor before the government formation in Jammu and Kashmir. Any such move is an assault on democracy, the people's mandate, and the fundamental principles of the Constitution."

Sharma, accompanied by working president Raman Bhalla, reaffirmed the party's commitment to challenge this decision vigorously, highlighting it as an attempt by the BJP to manipulate numbers amid their inability to secure the required support for forming the government. The Congress has vowed to fight against what they perceive as an infringement on democratic values in the region.