The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat commenced its winter functioning in Jammu on Monday, 2 November 2026, with Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather receiving a warm reception from senior officers and staff as part of the annual Darbar Move — the seasonal relocation of the J&K administration between Srinagar and Jammu.

Speaker's Arrival and Reception

Senior officers and officials of the Assembly Secretariat received Speaker Rather and extended formal greetings on the commencement of the winter session's administrative functioning. The occasion marked the formal beginning of legislative work in the winter capital.

Interacting with the assembled officers and staff, the Speaker appreciated their dedication and commitment towards ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the Secretariat. He called for the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and efficiency in the discharge of official responsibilities.

Key Directives from the Speaker

Rather stressed the need for close coordination among all branches of the Secretariat to ensure timely disposal of official business and seamless delivery of services. He also underscored the importance of maintaining a responsive, transparent, and public-oriented institutional approach while facilitating the smooth conduct of legislative affairs.

He expressed confidence that the Legislative Secretariat would continue to uphold the dignity, traditions, and institutional responsibilities of the legislature, and wished officers and staff a productive tenure during the winter posting.

Assembly Composition at a Glance

The J&K Legislative Assembly has 90 members. The ruling National Conference (NC) holds 41 seats, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 29, Congress with 6, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 4, and smaller parties and 6 Independents making up the remainder.

The NC-led government, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, draws support from the 6 Congress members, one CPI(M) legislator, and 5 Independents. Sunil Sharma of the BJP serves as Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.

The Darbar Move Tradition

The Darbar Move is a decades-old practice in Jammu and Kashmir whereby the civil administration, along with key government offices and institutions, shifts between Srinagar — the summer capital — and Jammu — the winter capital — twice a year. This biannual shift ensures administrative accessibility across both regions of the Union Territory. The practice has continued even after J&K's reorganisation into a Union Territory in 2019, and carries both administrative and symbolic significance for the region's political identity.