Jailed AAP MLA Mehraj Malik emerges as kingmaker in J&K Rajya Sabha elections

The vote of jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, Mehraj Malik, has emerged as a potential decider in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

This follows the decision of Sajad Lone, People’s Conference MLA from Handwara in J&K's Kupwara district, to abstain from voting.

After Lone’s decision, the number of MLAs has fallen to 87 in a crucial round where two NC candidates, Shami Oberoi and Imran Nabi Dar, and BJP candidate and state president, Sat Sharma, are in the fray. The election will be held on October 24.

Malik’s counsel has requested the High Court of J&K for permission to allow him to cast his vote. The court will announce its decision on the matter after receiving a response from the government on October 18.

With three candidates contesting for two Rajya Sabha seats, the first two with the highest votes will be declared elected.

Given the number game, Malik’s vote may hold the key in deciding whether both NC candidates are elected or one each from the NC and BJP.

In the 87-member House, Sharma enjoys the support of the party's 28 MLAs. The remaining 59 non-BJP votes are expected to be shared between Oberoi and Dar.

Political observers believe that if the 59 votes are divided evenly, one of the NC candidates may get 30 and the other 29, putting both ahead of the BJP’s 28 MLAs. As per the rules, the first two candidates with the highest number of votes will be declared winners.

However, if Malik is denied permission to vote, that could result in a tie between Dar and Sharma.

There are four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir, and the NC is considered safe on three seats. But the election on the two seats where Sharma is up against Oberoi and Dar has become a delicate contest because of Lone’s decision not to take part in the voting.

The four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir fell vacant in February 2021. The elections were delayed due to the absence of an assembly until October last year, when elections were held in the Union Territory for the first time in 10 years.

The NC-Congress alliance formed the government by winning 48 seats in the 90-member Assembly. The BJP emerged as a strong opposition with 29 members, and the party strength was reduced to 28, following the death of one MLA, Devender Singh Rana, who was elected from Nagrota.

This follows the decision of Sajad Lone, People’s Conference MLA from Handwara in J&K's Kupwara district, to abstain from voting.

After Lone’s decision, the number of MLAs has fallen to 87 in a crucial round where two NC candidates, Shami Oberoi and Imran Nabi Dar—and BJP candidate and state president, Sat Sharma—are in the fray. The election will be held on October 24.

Malik’s counsel has requested the court for permission to allow him to cast his vote. The court will announce its decision on the matter after receiving a response from the government on October 18.

With three candidates contesting for two Rajya Sabha seats, the first two with the highest votes will be declared elected.

Given the number game, Malik’s vote may hold the key in deciding whether both NC candidates are elected or one each from the NC and BJP.

In the 87-member House, Sharma enjoys the support of the party's 28 MLAs. The remaining 59 non-BJP votes are expected to be shared between Oberoi and Dar.

Political observers believe that if the 59 votes are divided evenly, one of the NC candidates may get 30 and the other 29, putting both ahead of the BJP’s 28 MLAs. As per the rules, the first two candidates with the highest number of votes will be declared winners.

However, if Malik is denied permission to vote, that could result in a tie between Dar and Sharma. 

There are four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir, and the NC is considered safe on three seats. But the election on the two seats where Sharma is up against Oberoi and Dar has become a delicate contest because of Lone’s decision not to take part in the voting.

The four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir fell vacant in February 2021. The elections were delayed due to the absence of an assembly until October last year, when elections were held in the Union Territory for the first time in 10 years.

The NC-Congress alliance formed the government by winning 48 seats in the 90-member Assembly. The BJP emerged as a strong opposition with 29 members, and the party strength was reduced to 28, following the death of one MLA, Devender Singh Rana, who was elected from Nagrota.

This follows the decision of Sajad Lone, People’s Conference MLA from Handwara in J&K's Kupwara district, to abstain from voting.

After Lone’s decision, the number of MLAs has fallen to 87 in a crucial round where two NC candidates, Shami Oberoi and Imran Nabi Dar—and BJP candidate and state president, Sat Sharma—are in the fray. The election will be held on October 24.

Malik’s counsel has requested the court for permission to allow him to cast his vote. The court will announce its decision on the matter after receiving a response from the government on October 18.

With three candidates contesting for two Rajya Sabha seats, the first two with the highest votes will be declared elected.

Given the number game, Malik’s vote may hold the key in deciding whether both NC candidates are elected or one each from the NC and BJP.

In the 87-member House, Sharma enjoys the support of the party's 28 MLAs. The remaining 59 non-BJP votes are expected to be shared between Oberoi and Dar.

Political observers believe that if the 59 votes are divided evenly, one of the NC candidates may get 30 and the other 29, putting both ahead of the BJP’s 28 MLAs. As per the rules, the first two candidates with the highest number of votes will be declared winners.

However, if Malik is denied permission to vote, that could result in a tie between Dar and Sharma. 

There are four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir, and the NC is considered safe on three seats. But the election on the two seats where Sharma is up against Oberoi and Dar has become a delicate contest because of Lone’s decision not to take part in the voting.

The four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir fell vacant in February 2021. The elections were delayed due to the absence of an assembly until October last year, when elections were held in the Union Territory for the first time in 10 years.

The NC-Congress alliance formed the government by winning 48 seats in the 90-member Assembly. The BJP emerged as a strong opposition with 29 members, and the party strength was reduced to 28 following the death of one MLA, Devender Singh Rana, who was elected from Nagrota.

India