BJP elects Sunil Sharma as LoP

In an important development in the politics of Jammu and Kashmir, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday elected Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Padder-Nagseni constituency in Kishtwar, Sunil Sharma as its Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly.

Narender Singh picked for Deputy Speaker’s post

• Sunil Sharma in a statement on X said, “Humbled and honoured to be chosen as the Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly.” The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also nominated Narender Singh for the post of Deputy Speaker offered to the BJP by the ruling National Conference.
• Sunil Sharma and MLA from Nagrota constituency Devender Singh Rana were the front-runners for the post of LoP. However after the death of Rana recently due to prolonged illness, Sharma was the only choice left for the party.

The party has also chosen MLA from RS Pura-Jammu South — Narinder Singh — as BJP candidate for the post of Deputy Speaker in the Assembly.

The session of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is set to begin from Monday.

The BJP held a pivotal Legislative Party Meeting at Church Lane, Sonwar, Srinagar. Presided over by Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Prahlad Joshi, and BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh — who oversees the Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh regions and served as the national observer for this session — the meeting underscored the party’s strategic direction in Jammu and Kashmir.

Key party figures were present, including co-incharge for J&K, Ashish Sood, Bharatiya Janata Party UT president Sat Sharma, Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta, former BJP president Ravinder Raina, along with 28 BJP MLAs among other leaders including Darkashan Andrabi, Sunil Sethi, Vibodh Gupta and other core members of the BJP leadership.

“During the meeting, the legislative body elected BJP General Secretary and MLA from Kishtwar, Sunil Sharma, as the Leader of Opposition (LoP). Narender Singh, MLA from Jammu (South), was chosen as the party’s candidate for Deputy Speaker,” a BJP leader said.

Addressing the attendees, Joshi emphasised on the importance of unity and purpose in the party’s objectives, while Chugh underscored the significance of the upcoming sessions in shaping Jammu and Kashmir’s development trajectory.

While addressing the media, Prahlad Joshi said, “The Legislative party members have unanimously elected Sunil Sharma as the Leader of the Opposition for the Kashmir Assembly. We are committed to being a constructive opposition, addressing public issues and contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.

Sharma in a statement on X said: “Humbled and honored to be chosen as the Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly.”

Sharma and Member Legislative Assembly from Nagrota constituency Devender Singh Rana were the front-runners for the post of LoP. However after the death of Rana recently due to prolonged illness, Sharma was the only choice left for the party.