Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir will once again have representation in the Rajya Sabha after nearly five years, as three National Conference leaders are scheduled to take their oath as members of the Upper House on Monday, the first day of the Winter Session.
Shammi Oberoi, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo and Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan will be administered the oath by Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan.
This marks J&K’s formal return to the Rajya Sabha since the reorganization of the state and the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The three leaders were elected in the polls held on October 24 for the four seats allotted to the Union Territory. The National Conference won three seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party secured one, with its nominee Sat Sharma already sworn in earlier.
Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, a senior leader and former minister, brings long legislative experience from his multiple terms in the J&K Assembly. Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, also a former minister from Kishtwar, and Shammi Oberoi, the party treasurer, will join him in representing the National Conference in Parliament.
Ahead of the session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held a meeting of floor leaders on Sunday to discuss coordination for the Winter Session. The three week long session will run from December 1 to December 19 and is expected to take up several important bills, including the Atomic Energy Bill 2025, the Higher Education Commission of India Bill and other legislative proposals.
The opposition is also likely to raise issues such as the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories, along with concerns related to air pollution in the national capital.
The leaders will take part in parliamentary proceedings from Monday as the Winter Session begins with 15 scheduled sittings.
