Jammu and Kashmir Assembly: Latest Updates and Developments

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly: Latest Updates and Developments

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, restored after a gap of more than six years, continues to be the centre of intense political activity and public attention in early 2026. Following the landmark Assembly election held in September–October 2025—the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019—the current House has completed nearly four months of functioning. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah leads a National Conference–Congress coalition government with 49 seats (NC 42 + Congress 6 + Independents 1), while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sits as the principal opposition with 29 seats. The Assembly has seen stormy debates, high-profile legislation, procedural controversies and significant administrative changes. This report captures the major developments, key sessions, legislative highlights, political realignments and ongoing issues as of 3 February 2026.

Formation of Government and Initial Turbulence

Omar Abdullah was sworn in as Chief Minister on 16 October 2025, exactly 18 years after he first took oath in the same role in 2002. The NC–Congress alliance secured a comfortable majority of 56 in the 90-member House (effective strength 89 after one vacancy). Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath in a ceremony boycotted by the BJP, which described the new government as “illegitimate” due to its refusal to accept the full integration of Jammu & Kashmir as a Union Territory.

The first session (November 2025) was marred by protests over the use of the term “Lieutenant Governor” instead of “Governor” in official communications, a symbolic issue that the opposition used to question the post-2019 constitutional framework. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather (NC) ruled that the constitutional position would be respected as per the J&K Reorganisation Act 2019 and subsequent Supreme Court judgment.

Key Legislative Highlights (November 2025 – January 2026)

The Assembly has passed 14 bills in three sessions so far, with several carrying long-term implications:

1. Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Passed in November 2025, the bill increased the reservation ceiling for Scheduled Tribes from 10% to 20% and introduced 4% horizontal reservation for Pahari-speaking people and Paddari-speaking people within the existing 10% EWS quota. The move was welcomed by Pahari groups but criticised by Gujjar and Bakerwal leaders as diluting ST reservation.
2. Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Introduced in December 2025 and passed in January 2026, the bill restored statehood symbols (state flag, state anthem) in a limited ceremonial form while maintaining Union Territory status. The BJP staged a walkout, calling it “symbolic appeasement”.
3. Jammu and Kashmir Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Allows the government to borrow up to 4% of GSDP in FY 2026–27 (vs 3.5% earlier), providing fiscal space for infrastructure spending.
4. Jammu and Kashmir Protection of Women from Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Strengthens protection officers’ powers and introduces fast-track courts in every district.

Political Realignments and Floor Dynamics

The most significant development has been the shifting loyalties of Independents and smaller parties:

• Engineer Rashid (Independent, Baramulla) joined the ruling coalition in December 2025 after negotiations on prison reforms and Kashmiri prisoners in Tihar. He was made Minister for Tourism and Culture.
• Three other Independents (from Kupwara and Baramulla) extended outside support in January 2026, taking the effective coalition strength to 59.
• The BJP has accused the government of “horse-trading” and filed a complaint with the Election Commission and Governor.

Internal friction within the NC has also surfaced: Senior leader Ali Mohammad Sagar publicly criticised the government’s handling of the Pahari reservation issue in January 2026, saying it has alienated core Gujjar–Bakerwal voters.

Major Policy Announcements and Executive Decisions

Since taking office, the Omar Abdullah government has announced:

• Recruitment drive — 25,000 posts in police, education, health and revenue departments (notification issued 15 January 2026).
• Power subsidy — Free electricity up to 200 units per month for domestic consumers (effective 1 February 2026).
• SRO 2025 review — Promised to revisit the Roshni Act and land-allocation rules within six months.
• Tourism push — ₹1,200 crore package for winter tourism infrastructure in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
• Flood mitigation — ₹3,500 crore plan for Jhelum riverbank strengthening and smart drainage in Srinagar.

Security and Law & Order Situation

The Valley has seen relative calm since the election, but January 2026 witnessed two major incidents:

• 12 January: Encounter in Shopian — two Lashkar-e-Taiba militants killed.
• 25 January: Grenade attack on CRPF convoy near Awantipora — three jawans injured.

Police have arrested over 140 persons under UAPA/POTA since October 2025, mostly on charges of harbouring militants or raising pro-independence slogans during the election period.

Public and Political Reactions

Public mood in the Valley remains cautiously optimistic. Many residents credit the new government with faster road repairs and power supply improvements, but complain about rising prices and unemployment. The government’s decision to restore state symbols (flag, anthem) in limited form has been welcomed by NC supporters but criticised by separatist-leaning groups as “symbolic eyewash”.

The BJP has accused the NC–Congress alliance of “soft separatism” and “appeasement politics”. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking in Jammu on 28 January, warned that any move to dilute the 2019 constitutional changes would be “strongly resisted”.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) has adopted a middle position, supporting greater autonomy but opposing any rollback of domicile and land laws.

Outlook for the Next Six Months

The Assembly’s budget session is scheduled to begin on 20 February 2026. Key items on the agenda include:

• Full budget for 2026–27
• Debate on the Roshni Act repeal/replacement
• Discussion on the proposed Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh
• Bills on domicile law modifications and reservation rationalisation

The government faces a delicate balancing act: satisfying its NC–Congress base while avoiding any step that could provoke a strong reaction from the Centre or the BJP.

As of 2 February 2026, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly remains a work in progress—a restored institution still searching for stability in a region with a long history of political turbulence. Whether the Omar Abdullah government can deliver on governance promises while navigating the complex Centre–state relationship will define its legacy in the coming years.