No decision by NC-Cong yet on speaker of J-K assembly

“As of now there is no decision from the party about who will be the speaker of the assembly” said senior NC leader and political advisor to Chief Minister,Omar Abdullah,D S Rana.

However sources said that the party was considering the names of its candidates including its former Minister and MLA,Handwara,Choudhary Ramzan,and former Deputy Speaker and party MLA from Sonawari,Mohammad Akbar Lone for the speaker’s post.

With the elections for the post of speaker slated on February 25,the ruling party will finalise the name of the party candidate in Jammu on Tuesday,sources said,adding that the name couldn’t be finalized as both the NC President,Dr Farooq Abdullah,and Chief Minister,Omar Abdullah,were outside the state.

Sources add that while the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will come to Jammu on Tuesday,the party President would come in the next few days. Sources said that Chief Minister,Omar Abdullah,was in Delhi to discuss the seat sharing arrangement with the Congress for the legislative council seats. NC President,Farooq Abdullah,was in London for a personal trip,sources add.

“We have not decided as yet that who will be the party candidate for the post of speaker. Since the last date for the filing of nominations for the 11 council seats is on Tuesday,the decision over the candidates for the legislative council elections will only be taken today only. The decision over the speaker’s post is also expected here today” said NC’s Provincial President for Jammu,Rattan Lal Gupta.

“Since the speaker has to be a consensus candidate from the ruling NC-Congress both the parties will file a consensus candidate for the post,” he added.

While the elections for Speaker are slated on February 25,senior PDP leader and Chairman of the legislative council,Ghulam Nabi Hanjoora,will be replaced by Congress candidate in the month of March when his term is coming to an end.