Srinagar, Oct 24 – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah engaged in last-minute discussions with party leaders regarding the Rajya Sabha polls, focusing on securing crucial votes from independent MLAs. To maintain energy during these discussions, a steady supply of ‘pakoras’ and ‘chai’ was provided.

Members of the National Conference (NC) and its allies convened at the chief minister’s office within the assembly complex as they calculated the voting strategy for the four Upper House seats in Jammu and Kashmir, with voting currently in progress.

Amidst the strategic planning, Abdullah shared images of his office on the social media platform X, stating, “Behind the scenes in my office in the assembly complex while we work out the arithmetic and strategy of the Rajya Sabha polls.” He further noted, “Sustenance comes from a regular supply of paneer and onion pakodas and canteen chai.”

Voting for the four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir is taking place today. This election marks the first Rajya Sabha election since the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories on August 5, 2019.

The Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir are organized under three notifications issued by the Election Commission of India. The elections for two of the seats are being conducted separately, while the remaining two seats are under a common notification.

In the contest for one of the seats, Chowdhury Mohammed Ramzan of the NC faces off against Ali Mohammed Mir of the BJP. For the second seat, NC’s Sajjad Kitchloo is competing against Rakesh Mahajan of the BJP. In the third notification, the NC has nominated party treasurer G S Oberoi, also known as Shammi Oberoi, alongside its young state spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, who are up against BJP’s Sat Sharma.

To ensure their MLAs participate in the voting process, both the NC and PDP issued three-line whips on Thursday, urging members to support the ruling party candidates. The PDP and Congress have also declared their support for the ruling NC.

With a total of 41 members, the NC, supported by six Congress, three PDP, one CPM MLAs, and six Independents, is expected to secure three seats comfortably. The competition for the final seat remains highly competitive.

The assembly comprises 88 MLAs, with the NC-led ruling coalition and PDP members holding a combined strength of 57. The BJP, with 28 assembly members, strategically nominated its Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Sat Sharma for the third notification.