THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Srinagar, Nov 4: Abdul Rahim Rather, a seasoned National Conference leader and seven-time MLA from Charar-e-Sharief, was elected on Monday as the first speaker of the legislative assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdul Rahim Rather, aged 80, was elected as the speaker through a voice vote after opposition parties chose not to vie for the position. The election was overseen by Protem Speaker Mubarak Gul.
Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar proposed Rather for the speaker’s post, with NC MLA Ramban Arjun Singh Raju seconding the motion on the opening day of the five-day session.
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The Leader of the House, Omar Abdullah, and opposition leader, BJP’s Sunil Sharma escorted Rather to his chair following the election.
Rather previously served as the speaker in the legislative assembly of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, he held the position of leader of the opposition from 2002 to 2008 during the tenure of the PDP-Congress coalition government.
