The much-anticipated autumn session of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly is set to commence tomorrow, and it promises to be anything but quiet. Opposition parties are preparing to take a strong stand against the National Conference (NC)-led government, ready to raise tough questions about unfulfilled promises, governance issues, and long-pending concerns about statehood and reservation policies.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma has made it clear that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold the ruling party accountable for what he calls a “betrayal of electoral promises.”
“The government has failed to deliver on its commitments — be it 200 free units of electricity, 12 LPG cylinders per household, or employment for youth. These were promises made to the people during elections, and none have been fulfilled,” Sharma said, according to news agency KNO.
He added that the BJP will question the government over the lack of job creation. “They promised one lakh jobs for the youth but have done nothing. We will demand answers — what has the government done for the young people of Jammu & Kashmir in the past year?” Sharma asserted.
Meanwhile, smaller Kashmir-based opposition parties, including the PDP, Peoples Conference (PC), and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), are expected to focus on statehood restoration, reservation rationalisation, and issues affecting marginalized sections.
The Assembly Secretariat recently disallowed a resolution submitted by Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone seeking the restoration of statehood, citing that the issue remains sub judice.
At the heart of this session will be three government bills, including proposed amendments to the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, and the Goods & Services Tax Act, 2017, along with the introduction of the Jammu & Kashmir Shops and Business Establishment Bill, 2025.
The Assembly Secretariat has received 450 questions, 13 private members’ bills, and 55 private members’ resolutions for discussion during the session. Notably, 33 private members’ bills from the previous session remain pending and are expected to take precedence on October 28, the day dedicated to private members’ business.
The Business Advisory Committee will meet today at 3:00 PM in the Speaker’s office to finalize the time allocations for discussions on bills and other matters. This meeting will play a crucial role in determining how much space each issue gets on the Assembly floor.
In the midst of political clashes and heated debates, one thing is clear — the people of Jammu & Kashmir are watching closely. The promises made during elections were not just words; they were hopes for a better tomorrow. Whether this session delivers accountability or continues the cycle of rhetoric remains to be seen, but citizens across the region are yearning for real change — not speeches, but action.
