stage-set-for-j-k-rajya-sabha-elections-tomorrow

The stage is set, and preparations for the much-awaited Rajya Sabha polls for four vacant seats are to witness a fiery contest between the ruling National Conference and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday, October 24.

 

According to stats, the National conference is set to win three out of four seats comfortably with the support of alliance partners and independent legislators, while the fourth seat is set to witness a showdown.

 

Despite having 28 votes, the BJP is two short of winning the fourth seat and will still be in murky waters since Kashmir-based parties will either skip the voting or support the NC out of compulsion to ensure the BJP does not gain power.

 

The People’s Democratic Party Chief Mehbooba Mufti has on Thursday openly extended support to the NC going into voting.

 

“We have decided to give support to the NC and vote for their candidates,” Mehbooba Mufti said, adding, “The decision has been taken to keep the BJP away,” she said.

 

“This party (NC) doesn’t deserve it, but we have to give our support for the larger cause of keeping the fascist forces away,” Mehbooba added.

 

The decision, according to Mehbooba Mufti, was taken following comprehensive consultations with the party leadership and its MLAs on the NC’s request for support in the Rajya Sabha election. Similarly, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Thursday claimed the Congress supports the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir for the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled to take place a day later.

 

Differences occurred between the alliance partners after the Congress had accused the National Conference (NC) of backtracking on its promise of giving the party a safe seat in the Rajya Sabha polls.

 

The Congress, despite being an alliance partner of the National Conference, did not attend the MLA’s coalition that was called by the ruling dispensation.

 

“The Congress is with us and supports us,” Abdullah said when he was asked about the Congress not yet announcing its support to the NC — its alliance partner in J-K—for the Rajya Sabha polls.