7-time MLA Rather elected as speaker of J&K Assembly

Srinagar, Nov 4: Veteran National Conference (NC) leader and seven-time MLA from Charar-e-Sharief Abdul Rahim Rather was elected as the first speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir today.

Rather, a former Finance Minister, was elected the speaker with a voice vote after the opposition parties decided against contesting for the post. Pro-tem speaker Mubarak Gul conducted the election.

Minister of Agriculture Javed Ahmed Dar moved a motion to name Rather for the post of speaker, while NC’s MLA from Ramban Arjun Singh Raju seconded the motion on the first day of the 5-day session.