National Conference has clinched three out of four Rajya Sabha seats contested in Jammu and Kashmir, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured the remaining seat. The elections, held on Friday, have reinforced NC’s dominance and their alliance within the Union Territory’s legislature.
The victorious NC candidates, Chowdary Ramzan, Sajad Kitchloo, and Sammi Obroi—secured their seats with strong support, while BJP’s Sat Sharma narrowly defeated NC’s Imran Nabi Dar to claim the fourth seat. Voting took place under strict security at the J&K Assembly complex, with all 86 MLAs participating in person and one postal ballot from incarcerated Doda MLA Mehraj Malik.
The NC’s success was amplified by strategic backing from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), both committed to preventing BJP’s dominance. Particularly, AIP MLA Sheikh Khursheed’s support was pivotal in tipping the scale in favor of NC.
Party leaders celebrated the outcome as a solid endorsement of regional unity. NC Vice President Omar Abdullah hailed the victory as a message that Jammu and Kashmir’s voice will resonate strongly in Parliament. PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti also praised the unity of regional forces in defending J&K’s interests.
With the new Rajya Sabha members set to be sworn in during the upcoming parliamentary session, this election marks a crucial milestone in the post-restoration political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. Experts believe this result will not only boost regional parties ahead of the next Assembly elections but may also influence the opposition’s stance in the national Parliament.
