Did Voting for J&K Rajya Sabha Election End Peacefully with NC Alliance in the Lead?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Rajya Sabha election in Jammu and Kashmir was conducted peacefully.
- 86 MLAs participated, with some notable abstentions.
- The NC alliance has significant support, giving them an edge.
- BJP faces challenges in securing the fourth seat.
- Upcoming bypolls are set to influence future political dynamics.
Srinagar, Oct 24 (NationPress) The Rajya Sabha election in Jammu and Kashmir concluded smoothly on Friday, with 86 MLAs participating in the voting process. Notably, the detained Doda MLA Mehraj Malik cast his vote via postal ballot, while Peoples Conference (PC) MLA Sajad Lone chose to abstain.
The voting occurred at the Legislative Assembly complex in Srinagar.
Following this election, two seats in the 90-member J&K Assembly, namely Nagrota and Budgam, are set for bypolls on November 11 due to vacancies.
The results for all four Rajya Sabha seats are expected to be announced after 4 p.m.
The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), represented by Khurshid Ahmad, has declared support for the NC alliance.
The NC candidates hold a significant advantage with the backing of 41 MLAs, alongside support from six Congress, five independents, one CPI(M) member, three from the PDP, and one from AIP, putting them ahead of their BJP contenders.
The BJP can secure the fourth seat only if there’s cross-voting among those who have pledged support for the NC candidates.
The NC has put forth nominees Muhammed Ramzan Chowdhary, Sajad Kichloo, Shami Oberoi, and Imran Nabi Dar.
In contrast, the BJP has nominated three candidates, including Sat Sharma, the J&K President.
If the NC fails to exceed 28 votes for the fourth Rajya Sabha seat, the BJP, with its own 28 votes, will have a chance at winning that seat.
In the recent 2024 Assembly elections, the NC secured 42 seats, the BJP 29, Congress 6, PDP 3, CPI(M) 1, PC 1, AIP 1, Aam Aadmi Party 1, and 6 Independents.
Subsequently, five Independents decided to join the NC, while Congress provided external support to the NC government without full participation.