61 people voted in favour of resolution, only 28 opposed : Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather

Srinagar : Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday said that the resolution passed in the maiden assembly session was forwarded to the concerned quarters for necessary action.

He, however, said that the speaker had done his job by counting the votes in favour and against the resolution and there was no bias on his part.

Talking to the reporters, Rather, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the necessary steps to forward the resolution passed in the assembly were done on the day when it was passed.

“I am non-political and it is better to ask this question to the political parties,” he said while referring to a query on the resolution.

Asked about the law and order situation after the new government took over, he said law and order is not a state subject, but a central subject. “The Chief Minister has asked the security agencies to remain vigilant to end the attacks,” he said.

Asked about the allegations of ‘bias’, Rather said, “Speaker has a limited role as he has to preside in the house only. The speaker counted the votes and nearly 61-62 people voted in favour of the resolution and only 28 were against it. BJP was in the belief that I will replace 61 with 28 and 28 with 61 members when the resolution was passed,” he said, adding that he has gone with the facts only, nothing else.

Reacting to the programme he attended today, Rather said that though he is not part of the government, he will intervene and urge the government to take every possible measure for the promotion of culture and artists.

“The Kashmiri language should not be neglected,” he said