Jammu, November 21
Mr Tara Chand of the Congress was today elected unanimously the Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
The name of Mr Tara Chand, a member of the Scheduled Caste community was proposed by Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma and seconded by Mr Muzaffar Hussain Beig Finance Minister.
Mr Abdul Aziz Zargar (PDP) was in the chair during the Speaker’s election. Tara Chand was escorted to the Speaker’s chair by Mr Sharma, Mr Mohiuddin Shah (NC), Mr Muzaffar Beig (PDP and Parliamentary Affairs Minister) and other members.
Addressing the House after his election Mr Tara Chand said that the world had high hopes from the new Assembly which had come into being after a crucial election. The people braved the bullet to exercise their franchise.
He urged the members to rise above party politics to solve the problems of the people hit by militancy.
The Chief Minister, Mufti Sayeed congratulating Mr Tara Chand said that constructive Opposition was necessary in a democracy.
Mr Mangat Ram Sharma (Cong), Mr Mohiuddin Shah (NC), Mr Harshdev Singh (Panthers Party), Mohammad Yousun Tarigami (CPM) and Mr Jugal Kishore (BJP) also spoke.
