Abdul Rahim Rather, a veteran legislator and seven-time member of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, was elected as Speaker of the Assembly on Monday.
Rather, who served as Leader of the Opposition from 2002 to 2008, was nominated for the Speaker position on the first day of the Assembly’s five-day session by Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar. The nomination was seconded by National Conference MLA Arjun Singh Raju.
Following his election, Rather was escorted to the Speaker’s chair by Leader of the House Omar Abdullah and Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma from BJP.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Rather, stating, “On behalf of the entire House, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. Your appointment was unanimously supported, underscoring the confidence this House has in you. As Speaker, you now serve as the custodian of this House.”
