A crucial Rajya Sabha election is underway in Jammu and Kashmir for four seats, with the final results anticipated later today. Seven candidates are vying for these legislative positions, comprising four from the National Conference (NC) and three from the BJP. This marks the first such election in the region in a decade.
The political alliances are taking shape, with the NC enjoying the backing of the PDP and Congress, positioning it favorably for three seats. The BJP is considered the frontrunner for the fourth seat. All parties have issued strict whips to ensure maximum participation from their MLAs.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was seen casting his vote at the Assembly premises. Polling is open until 4 pm, and the official announcement of the results is slated for after 5 pm. This election is a significant political event, being the first since 2019 and the first in ten years.
The competition for the final seat is expected to be intense, with a reported deadlock between the NC and BJP. The support of independent MLAs and smaller parties will likely be decisive in determining the winner of this closely contested seat.
The current assembly’s strength, established by the 2024 elections, is key: NC leads with 42 MLAs, though four are running for the Rajya Sabha and thus ineligible to vote. The BJP has 29 MLAs, with one seat vacant. The Congress (6 MLAs) and PDP (3 MLAs) are supporting the NC’s bid for seats. Ten seats are held by ‘Others’.
The NC, despite its leading numbers, needs specific vote thresholds for each seat. The BJP, with 28 MLAs, is confident in securing at least one seat. The support from Congress, PDP, a CPI(M) MLA, and four independents gives the NC-led coalition a significant advantage, but the final allocation for the fourth seat remains uncertain. The votes of Awami Ittehad Party’s Sheikh Khursheed and detained AAP MLA Mehraj Malik are critical for the fourth seat’s outcome. The results will offer insights into the region’s political trajectory.