Abdul Rahim Rather (born 1944)

This article is about Jammu and Kashmir National Conference member. For former JKPDP and current Apni Party member, see Abdul Rahim Rather (born 1957).

Abdul Rahim Rather (born 1944) is an Indian politician from Jammu and Kashmir. He is currently serving as the speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. He is a seven time MLA representing the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Party from Charar-i-Sharief Assembly constituency in Budgam district. He has served as a speaker and held several important ministries including finance in the previous National Conference governments.^[1][2]

Abdul Rahim Rather
Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 November 2024
Deputy	Devinder Kumar Manyal
Preceded by	Nirmal Kumar Singh (State)
Constituency	Charari Sharif
Member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 8 October 2024
Preceded by	Ghulam Nabi Lone
Constituency	Charari Sharif
In office 1977–2014
Succeeded by	Ghulam Nabi Lone
Constituency	Charari Sharif
Personal details
Born	1944 (age 80–81) Badipora, Jammu and Kashmir, British India
Citizenship	Indian
Political party	Jammu & Kashmir National Conference
Education	University of Kashmir (B. A 1968) Aligarh Muslim University (LL.B 1971)
Occupation	Politician

Early life and education

Rather was born in Badipora village of Chadoora, Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir. His father Ghulam Qadir Rather was a farmer. He completed his post graduation in political science in 1968 at University of Kashmir and later did L.L.B. in 1971 at Aligarh Muslim University. His son runs a software company.^[3]

Career

Rather first won the 1977 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election from  Charar-i-Sharief Assembly constituency as a candidate of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference. He was later elected for another five terms consecutively winning the 1983, 1987, 1996, 2002 and 2008 elections. In 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election, he lost to Ghulam Nabi Lone of JKPDP to end his over 30 years hold on the constituency.^[1][4]

In 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, he was elected for his 7th term in Jammu and Kashmir's legislature.^[5]

Electoral performance

Election	Constituency	Party		Result	Votes %	Opposition Candidate	Opposition Party		Opposition vote %	Ref
2024	Charari Sharief		JKNC	Won	48.48%	Ghulam Nabi Lone		JKPDP	32.98%	[6]
2014	Charari Sharief		JKNC	Lost	42.85%	Ghulam Nabi Lone		JKPDP	50.85%	[7]
2008	Charari Sharief		JKNC	Won	48.30%	Ghulam Nabi Lone		JKPDP	35.78%	[8]
2002	Charari Sharief		JKNC	Won	51.29%	Ghulam Nabi Lone		JKPDP	41.79%	[9]
1996	Charari Sharief		JKNC	Won	60.31%	Ghulam Hassan Wani		JD	19.69%	[10]
1987	Charari Sharief		JKNC	Won	82.94%	Abdul Rashid		Independent	9.98%	[11]
1983	Charari Sharief		JKNC	Won	69.79%	Abdul Qayoom		INC	25.93%	[12]
1977	Charari Sharief		JKNC	Won	71.96%	Abdul Qayoom		INC	23.22%	[13]