Jammu and Kashmir held its first Rajya Sabha elections on Friday following the abrogation of Article 370. The polling took place in the Srinagar Assembly complex, where 86 out of 88. MLAs cast their votes, with one detained MLA casting his vote via postal ballot. Following the counting, Omar Abdullah's National Conference (NC) emerged victorious on three of the four vacant seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured one seat.
National Conference's Strong Performance
The National Conference demonstrated a strong performance, clinching three crucial seats, while chaudhary Ramzan won from Rajya Sabha seat Notification-1. Sajjad Ahmad secured victory from Notification-2, defeating BJP's Rakesh Mahajan, while the third seat, Notification-3, went to Shammi Oberoi of the National Conference. This outcome underscores NC's significant political presence in the Union Territory.
BJP's Win and Cross-Voting Allegations
The fourth and final Rajya Sabha seat was won by the BJP. BJP candidate Sat Sharma secured 32 votes, enabling him to win the seat, while this victory was reportedly aided by four cross-votes, though the party affiliation of these MLAs remains undisclosed. According to sources, National Conference candidate Imran Dar received only 22 votes.
Context of Vacant Seats
These elections were held to fill four vacant Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu & Kashmir. The terms of Ghulam Nabi Azad and Nazir Ahmed Laway concluded on February 15, 2021. Similarly, the terms of Fayaz Ahmed Mir and Shamsher Singh Manhas ended on February 10 this year. Prior to the polling, NC and PDP had issued a three-line whip. To their MLAs to ensure voting in favour of the ruling party's candidates.
