Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 20: Confident of garnering support from all non-BJP parties, including Independents and three legislators of the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling National Conference (NC) on Sunday claimed it would spring a surprise by winning all four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief spokesperson of the NC, Tanvir Sadiq, exuded optimism that the upcoming October 24 Rajya Sabha elections would yield unexpected results in the party’s favour. “Many surprises will be there on October 24. The National Conference will bag all four seats,” Sadiq told reporters, adding that the party is receiving support even from those outside the ruling alliance.
Sadiq asserted that the NC welcomes support from all quarters. “If someone votes for us, we see them as friends, not opponents,” he said.
Seven Independents, including five who are already backing the ruling party, hold the decisive votes for the election of a candidate to the fourth Rajya Sabha seat under notification number three. Their support could determine the outcome between the National Conference and the BJP.
NC candidate Imran Nabi Dar has appealed to all non-BJP legislators to unite and vote for him to prevent the saffron party from expanding its presence in the Upper House.
Among the Independents supporting the NC are 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 (Surankote). Their backing is expected to bolster the NC’s prospects for the crucial fourth seat.
Following the decision of Handwara MLA and Peoples Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone to abstain from voting in the Rajya Sabha elections, the total number of votes in this round has been reduced 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 and commands the support of 28 MLAs. The remaining 59 non-BJP votes are likely to be shared between NC nominees Shammi Oberoi and Imran Nabi Dar.
Political observers believe that if the 59 non-BJP votes are split evenly, Oberoi could secure around 30 votes and Dar about 29—enough for both NC candidates to sail through, given that the BJP’s tally stands at 28. |
