Political parties in J-K welcome EC’s announcement of Rajya Sabha polls
Senior National Conference leader and provincial secretary Sheikh Bashir welcomed the announcement of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, stating, “Better late than never.” He emphasized that the elections were due much earlier and called the current step a welcome development.
The Congress party also expressed its views on the delay in holding the polls. The party pointed out that elections to the Upper House of Parliament were postponed despite the electoral college being in place nearly a year ago, following the assembly polls in the Union Territory (UT).
“The Election Commission of India has announced elections to four Rajya Sabha seats that have remained vacant till now. It is the right decision, though a delayed one. We welcome it,” said the party’s chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma, in a statement to PTI. He added, “Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held a year ago and the electoral college was in place, yet the UT remained unrepresented in the Rajya Sabha for over a year. Dair aaya, durust aaya (better late than never).”
Sharma further mentioned that the party leadership would soon meet to deliberate on the matter. “We will take the right decision in consultation with our central leadership,” he said.
Reacting to the announcement of the poll schedule, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Zorawar Singh Jamwal said, “The Election Commission announced elections for four vacant Rajya Sabha seats today. It is a welcome step.” He added, “These new MPs, once elected, will raise issues related to the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the development of the region in Parliament.”
The UT of Jammu and Kashmir has been unrepresented in the Upper House of Parliament since February 15, 2021. This was the day when Ghulam Nabi Azad and Nazir Ahmed Laway completed their terms. Two other members, Fayaz Ahmed Mir and Shamsher Singh Manhas, had completed their terms on February 10 of the same year.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, four members of the Rajya Sabha were to represent the UT. However, the seats remained vacant after the expiry of the previous members’ terms due to the absence of the required electorate at that time.
With the recent constitution of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the electorate is now in place to conduct the biennial elections, the Election Commission stated.
The counting of votes will take place on October 24, one hour after polling concludes.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/jammu-kashmir-rajya-sabha-polls-to-be-held-on-october-24-political-parties-welcome-ec-s-announcement-23595623
