 Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 15: The single vote of jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik has suddenly gained immense significance in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Jammu and Kashmir, following the announcement by People’s Conference (PC) chief and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone to abstain from voting.
The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has directed the government to file its response to Malik’s application seeking permission to cast his vote in the elections scheduled for October 24. Malik, who represents the Zanskar Assembly constituency, is currently lodged in jail and has approached the court through his counsel, arguing that he has the right to exercise his franchise as an elected legislator.
Sources said the High Court’s decision on the plea could prove decisive, as Malik’s vote now holds the potential to alter the outcome of the contest for the two Rajya Sabha seats being filled under the third notification.
Following Sajad Lone’s decision to stay away from the voting process, the total number of votes to be cast in this round has dropped to 87. With three candidates in the fray for two Upper House seats, the first two candidates securing the highest number of votes will be declared elected.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded its Jammu and Kashmir unit president Sat Pal Sharma as its candidate for one of these seats. The BJP commands the support of 28 MLAs, while the remaining 59 non-BJP votes are expected to be divided among the two National Conference (NC) candidates — Shammi Oberoi and Imran Nabi Dar.
Political observers point out that if the 59 non-BJP votes are evenly split between the two NC candidates, Oberoi may secure 30 votes, while Dar could receive 29, ensuring victory for both since the BJP holds only 28 votes.
However, in the event that Mehraj Malik is not permitted to vote, the arithmetic could shift dramatically, potentially leading to a tie between Imran Nabi Dar of the National Conference and Sat Pal Sharma of the BJP.
The High Court’s decision on Malik’s plea is therefore being closely watched by all political parties, as it could tip the balance in one of the most keenly contested Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir’s recent political history.
As reported earlier, the jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Jammu and Kashmir, Meraj Din (Mehraj) Malik, on Tuesday filed an application in the Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh High Court seeking permission to participate in the upcoming Assembly session and to cast his vote in the Rajya Sabha elections.
Responding to the application, Justice Sanjay Dhar of the J&K and Ladakh High Court directed the Union Territory government to file its reply on or before October 18, 2025. |
