Rajya Sabha polls: NC wins three seats, BJP bags one

Srinagar, Oct 24: The National Conference (NC) has emerged as the clear winner in the Rajya Sabha elections held in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, clinching three of the four seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to secure one. The outcome marks a major boost for the Omar Abdullah-led party and the INDIA bloc within the Union Territory’s legislative landscape.
According to the final tally, Chowdary Ramzan, Sajad Kitchloo, and Shammi Obroi of the National Conference won comfortably, while the fourth seat went to BJP’s Sat Sharma, who defeated NC’s Imran Nabi Dar after a close contest.
The polling was conducted earlier in the day at the J&K Assembly complex under tight security and concluded with counting late in the evening.
The NC’s commanding performance was aided by the tactical support of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), both of whom had earlier announced their decision to vote in favour of the National Conference to “keep the BJP out.” The decision of AIP MLA Sheikh Khursheed to back the NC bloc proved particularly significant in the final count.
A senior Election Department official confirmed that all 86 MLAs voted in person, while incarcerated Doda MLA Mehraj Malik cast his vote through a postal ballot. Independent and smaller party legislators also played a role in shaping the arithmetic, making this one of the most closely watched Rajya Sabha elections in recent years.
Celebrating the victory, NC Vice President Omar Abdullah said the outcome was “a reaffirmation of regional unity and public trust.” He remarked, “Our legislators have sent a clear message — Jammu and Kashmir’s voice will be heard strongly in Parliament. We thank our allies for standing with us in this important battle.”
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, while congratulating the NC, said the results reflected “a united stand of regional forces to defend the interests of J&K.” She added that the party’s decision to support NC candidates was taken in the larger interest of safeguarding people’s issues in Parliament.
The newly elected members are expected to take the oath during the next parliamentary session, marking the first major test of legislative strength between regional parties and the BJP since Jammu and Kashmir’s political restoration. [KNT]