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| Khurshid, Kullay emerge as key players on fourth seat of Rajya Sabha | | |  Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 16: The political spotlight in Jammu and Kashmir has shifted to two legislators — Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) MLA Khurshid Ahmed Sheikh and Independent MLA Shabir Ahmed Kullay — after People’s Conference chief and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone announced his decision to abstain from the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
Both Sheikh and Kullay now hold the decisive votes for the election of a candidate on the fourth Rajya Sabha seat under notification number three, as their support could tilt the balance between the National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
While neither MLA has yet revealed their stance, NC candidate Imran Nabi Dar has appealed to all non-BJP legislators to unite and vote in his favour to block the saffron party’s advance in the Upper House.
Five Independent MLAs — Satish Sharma (Chhamb), who serves as a minister in the Omar Abdullah government, Pyara Lal Sharma (Inderwal), Dr. Rameshwar Singh (Bani), Muzaffar Iqbal Khan (Thanamandi), and Choudhary Mohammad Akram (Surenkot) — are already backing the ruling National Conference. Their support is expected to strengthen the party’s position for the fourth seat.
With Lone’s abstention, the total number of votes to be cast in this round has dropped to 87. Three candidates remain in the fray for two Rajya Sabha seats, and the top two vote-getters will be declared elected.
The BJP has fielded its J&K unit president Sat Pal Sharma as its candidate. The party commands the support of 28 MLAs, while the remaining 59 non-BJP votes are expected to be divided between NC candidates Shammi Oberoi and Imran Nabi Dar.
Political observers suggest that if the 59 non-BJP votes are split evenly, Oberoi may secure around 30 votes, while Dar could receive 29, ensuring victory for both National Conference candidates — since the BJP’s total strength stands at 28. |
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