NC sweeps 3 Rajya Sabha seats in J&K; BJP secures one as Omar Abdullah laments last-minute setback

In a closely watched political contest, the National Conference (NC) clinched three of the four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to take the remaining one, as the Union Territory’s Assembly went to vote on Friday to fill the vacant positions in the Upper House.

The NC’s winning candidates include senior leader from Kupwara, Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, former MLA Sajad Kichloo, and party treasurer Shammi Oberoi. The BJP’s victory went to its J&K unit chief Sat Sharma, who secured his place as the fourth representative from the UT in the Rajya Sabha.

The NC’s strong showing stemmed from its numerical edge in the Assembly, supported by backing from the Congress, the PDP, and several Independents elected in last year’s polls. The final seat, mired in late-stage uncertainty, tilted in the BJP’s favour, defeating NC nominee Imran Nabi Dar in a tight finish.

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Chief Minister and NC vice-president Omar Abdullah congratulated the winners but admitted disappointment over falling short of a clean sweep. “We were let down at the last moment,” he said, referring to the alliance’s failure to secure the fourth seat. Earlier in the week, the NC had proposed that Congress contest one of the seats, but the Congress declined, preferring the “safe” constituencies. Consequently, the NC fielded candidates for all four seats under the ruling alliance banner.

On the opposition front, the PDP, led by Mehbooba Mufti, announced its support for NC candidates, saying the move aligned with “the larger interest of Jammu and Kashmir.” PDP MLA Waheed Para said the party’s vote was intended to counter the BJP and ensure Kashmir’s voice in Parliament. Mufti confirmed that her decision came after NC assured backing for two upcoming PDP-sponsored Bills in the Assembly.

The Congress, too, rallied behind the NC despite recent tensions. A letter from Congress president Farooq Abdullah conveyed official support, though it highlighted the party’s “disappointment” over the NC-led government’s functioning. On Friday, J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra described the alliance as a stand “for a larger cause,” emphasizing the need to “fight divisive forces” even while acknowledging internal differences.

Unexpected support also came from AIP’s Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed, who stated outside the Assembly that his vote was “not for NC’s agenda but against the BJP’s anti-Kashmir policies.” Independent legislator Shabir Kullay echoed the sentiment, calling the election a “contest between the BJP and Kashmiris,” adding that unity was essential at this stage.

Meanwhile, People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone abstained from voting, later describing the exercise as a “fixed match” orchestrated between the NC and BJP. “So, the BJP wins the fourth seat — as predicted. Fixed match. Axis of evil. Thank God I abstained,” Lone said soon after the results were declared.