Session likely to have 5-6 sittings
Srinagar: The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has summoned Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to meet in Srinagar on October 23, 2025, at 10 AM.
As per the summon issued by Secretary J&K Legislative Assembly, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 18(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, has summoned the Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly to meet at Srinagar on Thursday, the 23rd October, 2025 at 10.00 AM.
The summon further reads that in terms of Rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, all the Members are requested to kindly make it convenient to attend the Session of the Legislative Assembly on the appointed date, time and place.
The J&K Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had recommended to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha the summoning of the J&K Assembly on October 13.
This would be the third session of the J&K Union Territory’s first Assembly. The last sitting of the J&K Assembly was held on April 29, 2025, when it convened to condemn the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan backed LeT terrorists.
As per the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, there must not be a gap longer than six months between the last sitting of one session and the first sitting of the next.
“The Lieutenant Governor shall, from time to time, summon the Legislative Assembly to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session,” reads the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The session is expected to include five to six sittings. “There will be no business conducted in the House on October 24, as MLAs will vote to elect Rajya Sabha members,” the sources added.
The Cabinet had initially resolved to recommend that the Lieutenant Governor summon the Assembly on October 13. However, the date was revised after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather raised concerns with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, citing that the time allotted was inadequate for the proper examination of questions, private member bills, and resolutions.
After the LG summoned the House, the Assembly Secretariat, in accordance with Rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the J&K Legislative Assembly, directed all members to attend the session on the appointed date, time, and venue.
Meanwhile, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat today announced that each MLA may submit up to 10 questions, two resolutions, and one bill for the session.
As per the bulletin issued by the Secretariat, each MLA is permitted to submit 10 questions-five starred and five unstarred-along with two resolutions and one bill.
The deadlines for submission are October 4 for questions and bills, and October 7 for resolutions.
The upcoming autumn session is expected to be stormy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the largest opposition party, led by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, preparing to corner the government over a range of issues including floods, unemployment, and the alleged failure to deliver on electoral promises.
Meanwhile, smaller Kashmir-based opposition parties, which have a limited presence in the House, may challenge the government on issues such as statehood and reservation.
The ruling National Conference (NC)-led alliance, currently in a combative mode-with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo actively countering opposition parties-is expected to launch a strong counter attack, particularly targeting the Kashmir-based smaller parties for their past actions.
Given the current scenario, the issues of statehood and reservation are expected to dominate proceedings in the House.
In the last Assembly session, three resolutions on statehood lapsed due to disruptions caused by the National Conference, following the rejection of an adjournment motion brought by its legislators on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The issue of reservation also surfaced repeatedly during discussions in the House in the last session. The detention of MLA Mehraj Malik and the hindrances in the movement of fruit trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu highway are also expected to come up for discussion. (With inputs from IANS/KNO)
