Almost on the anticipated lines, yet not without political twists and surprises, the results for the four Rajya Sabha seats of J&K have come with ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference winning three Rajya Sabha seats in while as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managing to 'secured' one seat. BJP got 4 more votes than its own strength.
According to the party, senior JKNC leader Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir, winning by 58 votes. Fellow party members, Sajad Kichloo and Shammi Oberoi, were also declared winners. In a post on X, the National Conference said, "JKNC senior leader Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan has been elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jammu Kashmir, winning by 58 votes. The National Conference (NC) further solidified its dominance as its third candidate, GS Oberoi, popularly known as Shami Oberoi, clinched the third seat.
After an eventful day filled with hectic politicalactivity, the voting for the four Rajya Sabha seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly concluded with the National Conference securing three seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed the remaining one. The National Conference (NC) secured a commanding victory, with Chaudhary Ramzan clinching the first seat with 58 votes, despite one vote being disqualified due to an error. NC's second candidate, Sajjad Kitchloo, triumphed in the race for the second seat, garnering 57 votes.
The party’s sweep of three seats came with active backing from Congress, PDP reinforcing the INDIA alliance’s position in the upper house.Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma of BJP, had expressed confidence that his party would win all four seats, but the final results fell short of this prediction.Congress leaders reaffirmed their support for NC candidates, underlining the cohesion within the India alliance.
The outcome strengthens the INDIA alliance’s influence in the Rajya Sabha, giving it greater leverage in legislative matters and key voting scenarios at the national level.NC’s three wins ensure that Jammu Kashmir’s representation aligns with the INDIA alliance, marking a strategic advantage in the upper house.
While BJP's President Sat Paul Sharma won with 32 votes, leaving NC's Imran Nissar with 22 votes. All four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir had been vacant since February 2021, following the retirement of Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Shamsher Singh, and Nazir Ahmed Laway.
Meanwhile, bypolls for the Nagrota and Budgam assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled for November 11, following the demise of MLA Devender Singh Rana and Omar Abdullah's resignation, respectively.Earlier, on October 22, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed confidence in securing support from the Congress for victory in all four Rajya Sabha seats.
Speaking to reporters, he said, "This session is different from other sessions. Rajya Sabha elections will be held after 10 years in Jammu and Kashmir. We decided on a strategy in the meeting so that the National Conference wins all four seats. I thank Tarigami and other independent leaders, who joined the meeting", he said.
When asked about Congress holding a separate meeting, he added, "They had their own meeting. They have reiterated that they would not support the BJP. They have their own way; their leadership here has to wait for the high command's signal. This is not new, and no one should have a problem with it. Their high command would not signal to favour the BJP.
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