For the first time in a decade, Members of the Legislative Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir are casting votes for four Rajya Sabha seats. The electoral contest features seven candidates: four from the National Conference (NC) and three from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The polling commenced today, with results expected later this evening.
The NC, with strategic alliances with the PDP and Congress, is projected to secure three out of the four seats. The BJP is anticipated to claim the remaining seat. All legislative parties have issued mandatory voting directives to their members.
Key political figures, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, participated in the voting process at the Assembly complex. The polling stations will remain open until 4 pm, followed by the announcement of the victors after 5 pm. This electoral exercise is a landmark event, being the first Rajya Sabha election since 2019 and the first overall in ten years.
The race for the fourth seat is exceptionally tight, with preliminary counts suggesting a near tie between the NC and the BJP. The allocation of preference votes and the stances of unaligned members will be pivotal in deciding this crucial outcome.
The current political configuration of the assembly, formed after the 2024 elections, is central to the voting dynamics. The NC holds 42 seats, though four of its MLAs are among the Rajya Sabha candidates. The BJP has 29 MLAs, with one seat currently vacant. The Congress (6 seats) and PDP (3 seats) have pledged their support to the NC, adding to their voting bloc. Ten seats are held by other parties and independents.
Although the NC is the largest party, it requires a specific number of first-preference votes to ensure its candidates’ victory. The BJP, with its 28 MLAs, is making a strong bid for one Rajya Sabha berth. The collective strength of the NC’s allies, including Congress, PDP, a CPI(M) MLA, and several independents, positions them strongly for three seats, leaving the fourth highly competitive. The votes of Sheikh Khursheed and Mehraj Malik are critical. The election’s outcome will be a significant indicator of the political sentiment in Jammu and Kashmir.