With the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly set to begin on February 2, opposition parties are gearing up to raise key issues and mount pressure on the government during the proceedings. The session will open with an address by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and is scheduled to run until April 4, spanning 22 sittings.
In the run-up to the session, legislature party meetings of major political parties, including the National Conference (NC), BJP, Congress, and the PDP, are expected to be held on January 31 or February 1 to finalise their respective strategies.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP would strongly question the government on several pressing concerns, including the regularisation of Daily Rated Workers (DRWs), the establishment of two National Law Universities, and the utilisation of flood relief funds in areas affected by flash floods and heavy rainfall last year. He stressed that the government must take a clear position on DRWs and ensure that central relief funds are directed to the worst-hit regions.
Sharma also said he would actively participate in the Assembly proceedings until the presentation of the budget, after which he would leave for party responsibilities in Assam.
The BJP Legislature Party, which has 29 members in the 90-member Assembly, is scheduled to meet on February 1 to chart its course of action. The ruling National Conference, the single-largest party with 42 seats, currently enjoys support from the Congress, CPI(M), and Independent legislators, giving it a majority in the House.
