Yogesh
Jammu, Nov 21: Two newly elected MLAs were administered oath by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Friday in Jammu.
Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi (Budgam) and Devyani Rana (Nagrota) were administered oath by the Speaker.
While Devyani Rana recited the oath in Dogri language, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi chose Urdu for his pledge.
The swearing‑in ceremony was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Sat Paul Sharma, Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma, MLAs Sham Lal Sharma, Vikram Randhawa, Waheed‑Ur‑Rehman Para, and family members of the legislators.
As per section 24 of Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act-2019, every member of the Legislative Assembly shall, before taking his seat, make and subscribe before the Lieutenant Governor of the said Union territory, or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Fourth Schedule of this Act.
While Mehdi was elected from the Budgam Assembly segment, Devyani Rana won from Nagrota -a constituency earlier represented twice by her late father, Devinder Singh Rana.
Post abrogation of Article 370 and repeal of J&K Constitution, all MLAs have to be administered oath under the Constitution of India.
With the filling of these two vacancies, the strength of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has risen to 90 members.
In the House, the National Conference holds 41 MLAs, the BJP 29, Congress six, PDP four, while the Peoples Conference, CPI (M) and Aam Aadmi Party have one MLA each. Besides, there are seven independent MLAs.
The Lieutenant Governor is also empowered to nominate five members to the Assembly -two women, two representatives of migrants, and one member representing refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. (KNO)
