In a significant step, the newly elected members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of Jammu and Kashmir are set to take oath on Monday, October 21. They will be administered oath by Mubarak Gul from Eidgah, a six-time National Conference MLA, who was sworn in as the pro-term speaker of the J&K Assembly today at Raj Bhawan.

Responding to the Opposition’s attack on Omar Abdullah’s government over Article 370 and Statehood, the pro-term speaker said, “This is an early stage. These matters happen with due deliberation. This is our agenda. The people are looking at us and have expectations from us. We will do what is best for our State (UT).”

Swearing-In Ceremony Of Newly Elected MLAs

Gul confirmed the oath ceremony for the newly elected MLAs would begin at 2 PM on Monday. He said, “The responsibility of the oath ceremony of newly-elected MLAs is set to be held at 2 pm on Monday. All Members will be present at the event. I will be administering oaths to all members. After that, work would begin as the atmosphere has now set in J&K, and has to be taken forward. People voted in large numbers marking it as a victory of democracy. Some MLAs are new, we have to include them with the senior MLAs and ministers in camp to make them understand the proceedings.”

Jammu & Kashmir Cabinet Approves Resolution

In its first cabinet meeting on Thursday, the Omar Abdullah government approved a resolution demanding statehood for the union territory. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week to press the demand.

The state was bifurcated into two union territories – Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on August 5, 2019, after the union government moved a bill abrogating Article 370 in the Parliament and thus abolishing the state’s special status.

NC-Congress Alliance Wins J&K Elections

The National Conference-Congress alliance secured 49 seats in the J&K elections held in three phases, while the BJP suffered a major setback.