Congress pulls out of J&K Rajya Sabha race, accuses National Conference of denying safe seat

Following a detailed meeting of senior leaders, J&K Congress chief Tariq Karra announced that the party had formally informed the NC of its decision.

“Our central leaders had requested a safe seat, either seat number one or two , but the NC offered us seat number four. Since it is not a winnable seat, we have unanimously decided not to field a candidate,” Karra said.

The National Conference has already announced three candidates for the four available seats, leaving the fourth for its ally, Congress.

However, Congress leaders say they feel sidelined and discontented with the Omar Abdullah-led government over governance, administrative, and developmental issues.

According to the numbers in the assembly, the BJP, with 28 MLAs, is expected to secure one seat.

The NC, which has 41 MLAs along with the backing of six independents, associate members, and six Congress legislators, is poised to win three.

This leaves the fourth seat highly contested, a scenario Congress described as “unacceptable.”

The elections for the four Rajya Sabha seats are scheduled for October 24, with the BJP naming three candidates, including its J&K unit chief Sat Sharma.