Srinagar, October 16 — The vote of jailed Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik has become crucial in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections for two seats in Jammu and Kashmir, following the decision of People’s Conference MLA Sajad Lone to abstain, according to details received by The Chenab Times.
Malik’s counsel has sought permission from the High Court of J&K and Ladakh to allow him to cast his vote, despite his detention under the Public Safety Act. The court will decide after receiving the government’s response on October 18. The biennial elections for four Rajya Sabha seats are scheduled for October 24, with three candidates contesting for two seats: National Conference’s Shami Oberoi and Imran Nabi Dar, and Bharatiya Janata Party’s Sat Sharma.
Lone’s abstention has reduced the effective number of MLAs to 87 in this round. Sharma has the support of BJP’s 28 MLAs. The remaining 59 non-BJP votes are expected to be divided between the two NC candidates. With three candidates in the fray, the top two vote-getters will be elected.
Political observers noted that an even split of the 59 votes could see one NC candidate receive 30 votes and the other 29, both surpassing Sharma’s 28 and securing both seats for the NC. However, if Malik is barred from voting, the numbers could lead to a tie between Dar and Sharma, potentially allowing one seat each for the NC and BJP.
The four Rajya Sabha seats fell vacant in February 2021 and were delayed due to the absence of an assembly until elections in October 2024, held for the first time in 10 years. The NC-Congress alliance holds 48 seats in the 90-member assembly, while the BJP has 28 following the death of MLA Devender Singh Rana from Nagrota. The NC is considered secure on three seats, making the contest for the remaining two particularly close.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
