Srinagar, Oct 24: With the Rajya Sabha polls for four crucial seats underway in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference (NC) headquarters in the assembly complex turned into a scene of both serious number crunching and light-hearted camaraderie. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led marathon strategy sessions with his senior party leaders and alliance partners, focusing on securing key votes from independent MLAs, a decisive factor in what is being described as one of the most significant political contests since the abrogation of Article 370. To keep the energy levels up amid hours of deliberations, the meeting hall was stocked with a steady supply of ‘paneer and onion pakoras’ and canteen-style chai — a detail Omar Abdullah himself shared with a touch of humour on social media platform X. “Behind the scenes in my office in the assembly complex while we work out the arithmetic and strategy of the Rajya Sabha polls. Sustenance comes from a regular supply of paneer and onion pakodas and canteen chai,” Abdullah posted, offering a glimpse into the mix of intensity and informality that marked the day’s political huddles. While the relaxed tone of the chief minister’s post caught attention online, the mood inside the meeting was anything but casual. As the first Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir since the region’s reorganisation in 2019, the stakes are considerably high. Following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories, this vote carries both political symbolism and strategic implications for all major parties involved.
The Battle for Four Upper House Seats
The Election Commission of India issued three separate notifications for these elections, which are being held for four Rajya Sabha seats. Two seats are being contested individually, while the remaining two fall under a common notification. This has resulted in a complex political arithmetic, where each party’s vote count and every independent MLA’s allegiance could tilt the balance. In the first contest, NC’s Chowdhury Mohammed Ramzan faces Ali Mohammed Mir of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The second seat pits Sajjad Kitchloo of the NC against Rakesh Mahajan, also from the BJP. For the two seats under the third notification, the NC has fielded G S (Shammi) Oberoi, the party’s treasurer, and Imran Nabi Dar, the young and articulate state spokesperson. Their rivals from the BJP include Sat Sharma, the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit president, who is seen as a key figure in the BJP’s efforts to expand its political footprint in the Union Territory. The NC, PDP, and Congress alliance has entered the fray with an apparent numerical edge but remains cautious. The National Conference commands 41 MLAs in the 88-member Assembly, with support from six Congress, three PDP, one CPM, and six independent MLAs. This gives the ruling coalition a potential strength of 57 votes, compared to the BJP’s 28-member block. However, internal calculations suggest that at least one of the four seats could witness a razor-thin contest, depending on cross-voting and last-minute alliances. Thursday evening saw both the NC and PDP issuing three-line whips to their MLAs, mandating full attendance and strict adherence to voting directives. The Congress, too, publicly reaffirmed its backing for the NC’s candidates, framing the election as a test of opposition unity against the BJP’s influence in the region. Inside the assembly complex, discussions reportedly revolved around securing commitments from independent MLAs whose votes could prove crucial in ensuring a clean sweep. “Every vote matters,” a senior NC functionary said off record. “This election is not just about numbers—it’s about reaffirming our political strength after years of turbulence.” Observers note that Omar Abdullah’s decision to personally lead the coordination reflects his intent to project both confidence and control ahead of a vote that will test his coalition’s cohesion. Party insiders describe the chief minister as being “meticulous” about tracking each MLA’s presence and allegiance.
For the BJP, these elections carry significance beyond the numbers. The party’s decision to field senior leaders like Sat Sharma underscores its determination to consolidate a foothold in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir post-Article 370. By contesting all four seats despite the arithmetic disadvantage, the BJP aims to signal its commitment to maintaining political relevance in the region. Party insiders claim that the BJP hopes to “build momentum” ahead of the Assembly polls expected later next year, using the Rajya Sabha elections as a platform to test alliances and messaging. “Whether we win or lose, our candidates represent the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir’s people under a new constitutional framework,” a BJP spokesperson said. “This election is about setting the tone for the region’s democratic future.” This Rajya Sabha election is being viewed as a litmus test for the new political order in Jammu and Kashmir. The reorganisation of 2019 drastically altered not only the region’s administrative structure but also its political calculations. The erstwhile state’s legislative assembly, once consisting of 87 elected members and four nominated ones, was reorganised under Union Territory status, reducing local legislative powers and reshaping party strategies. For the NC, this election offers a chance to reassert its regional dominance and demonstrate that its political network remains resilient despite years of upheaval. For the PDP, still recovering from internal divisions and diminished influence since 2018, supporting the NC candidates provides an opportunity to stay relevant and visible within the opposition alliance. Congress, meanwhile, is playing the role of a stabilising ally, ensuring its presence in the evolving regional narrative without overstepping.
Inside the NC Headquarters: Strategy Meets Snacks
As the voting progressed, social media buzzed with Omar Abdullah’s candid post about “pakoras and chai,” a lighthearted moment that humanised the otherwise high-stakes political atmosphere. Party workers and aides described the mood in the assembly complex as a blend of intense strategising, anxious phone calls, and occasional laughter over shared snacks. “Politics in Kashmir has always had a human side,” said one NC legislator. “We argue, we calculate, and we eat together — it’s all part of the process.”
The image of party members debating seat arithmetic over plates of hot pakoras struck a chord with many voters online, symbolising a more grounded side of leadership. Yet, beneath the conviviality lies a serious political mission — to ensure that the NC-led alliance retains its majority voice in the Rajya Sabha. Despite their numerical advantage, NC strategists remain wary of potential cross-voting or last-minute abstentions that could alter outcomes in close contests. Political analysts suggest that while the ruling coalition appears poised to win at least three seats, the fourth could swing depending on independent MLAs’ decisions. “The real suspense is around how independents vote,” said a political observer in Srinagar. “These elections are less about party manifestos and more about micro-level alliances and trust.” Meanwhile, the BJP’s efforts are focused on consolidating support in the Jammu region, where it continues to maintain a strong base. The party’s performance here could offer insight into whether its national appeal is translating effectively into local dynamics within the restructured Union Territory.
The outcome of these Rajya Sabha elections is expected to shape the political discourse in Jammu and Kashmir in the coming months. A strong performance by the NC-led coalition could reinforce the opposition bloc’s confidence ahead of the assembly elections. Conversely, even a single upset victory for the BJP could boost the party’s narrative of expanding influence under the new constitutional framework. Beyond numbers, the elections carry symbolic weight. They represent an opportunity for political actors to redefine their relevance in a post-Article 370 landscape where governance, representation, and autonomy continue to be key themes in public discourse. As polling continued through Friday, security within and around the assembly complex remained tight, ensuring smooth conduct amid the charged political atmosphere. Counting is expected to be completed by late evening, with results likely to influence alliances and narratives heading into next year’s political season. Omar Abdullah and his team, fortified by their “pakoras and chai,” are counting on their arithmetic to hold. “This election is about trust, numbers, and focus,” a senior NC leader said as voting neared its end. “We have done the math — now it’s up to the ballots.” The Rajya Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir this year are far more than a routine electoral exercise. They encapsulate the region’s evolving political landscape, its shifting alliances, and the persistent tug-of-war between local leadership and national ambitions. Amid the aroma of fresh pakoras and steaming cups of chai, the NC-led coalition and its rivals are scripting the next chapter of Jammu and Kashmir’s political story — one that could determine not just who represents the Union Territory in the upper house, but also how power and partnership will play out in a region still redefining its identity within India’s democratic framework.
