Replacing Ravinder Raina, the BJP has appointed Sat Sharma as its new Jammu and Kashmir president. Sunil Sharma was appointed as leader of the legislature party, paving the way for him to assume the role of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the assembly. The move comes ahead of the first assembly session in Jammu and Kashmir, which will begin on Monday.
Humbled and honored to be chosen as the Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly.I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Hon'ble PM Sh. @narendramodi Ji, Sh. @AmitShah Ji, Sh.@JPNadda Ji, whole BJP leadership and my fellow MLAs for entrusting me with this responsibility. pic.twitter.com/MTcB1ecUDY
— Sunil Sharma (@Sunil_SharmaBJP) November 3, 2024
Raina was defeated by Surinder Chaudhary of the National Conference in the recent assembly polls in Nowshera, Rajouri. His defeat was a big setback to the party.
Sunil defeated the NC’s Puja Thakur in Padder-Nagseni in the assembly constituency and played a role in the BJP winning four assembly seats in Muslim majority Chenab Valley, including the districts of Ramban, Kidhtwar, Doda and Baderwah in Jammu region.
In J&K’s history, it's the first time a LoP is from BJP.
ALSO READ | Jammu & Kashmir BJP leader Devender Singh Rana passes away
The BJP suffered a setback after one of its important leaders and a potential LoP, Devender Singh Rana, passed away a few days back.
Rana had won the Nagrota assembly segment and was among the probables for the post of LoP. His death was widely condoled. He started his political career in early 2000 with NC and worked as an advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The elections in September and October brought to power the NC-Congress government with the two parties winning 48 seats, NC 42 and Congress 6. The Congress, however, has not taken any ministry but has reiterated its support for the NC.
The BJP won 29 seats all in Jammu. The party failed to open its account in Kashmir, but its candidates emerged runners-up in Gurez and Habba Kadal constituencies.
