In a historic shift for Jammu Kashmir, five nominated Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are poised to play a critical role in government formation, marking the first time such members will be directly involved in shaping the region’s political future.
These five nominated MLAs, representing Kashmiri displaced persons and those from Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK), will enjoy the same legislative powers and privileges as their elected counterparts.
The nominees will include two Kashmiri displaced members—one woman and one man—alongside a representative for the PoK displaced community.
The administration says that the move is a “major milestone”, fulfilling a long-standing demand for the representation of these marginalized groups.
With their inclusion, the Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly will expand to 95 members, raising the majority requirement to 48 seats for government formation.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu Kashmir, acting on the advice of the Home Ministry, will nominate these members.
This process follows amendments to the Jammu Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, revised in July 2023 to accommodate these appointments.
Political analysts point out that the system mirrors Pondicherry’s legislative framework, which also includes nominated members. In Jammu Kashmir, this comes in the wake of the dissolution of the region’s Legislative Council.
The nominations will be finalized following the vote counting on October 8, and government formation is expected by October 15.
The inclusion of Kashmiri Pandits, who fled the region in 1990, and PaK displaced persons, is being hailed as a step towards addressing the specific grievances of these communities.
Political lobbying for these new nominations has already begun, with sources indicating that influential figures, including veteran BJP leaders and prominent personalities from the PaK region, are seeking a place in the assembly.
The mirrors the legislative model of Pondicherry, where four nominated members already exist. However, a key difference lies in the context of their establishment: while Pondicherry has retained its Legislative Council, Jammu and Kashmir’s nominated members are being introduced following the abolition of its council, thereby adapting to a new political framework aimed at addressing the unique issues faced by its displaced communities.