Alliance Candidate Ghulam Ahmad Mir Likely to Enter Rajya Sabha as ECI Announces J&K Polls

Srinagar, Sep 25: The Election Commission of India on Wednesday announced biennial elections to four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir, setting the stage for a political battle that could see senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir entering the Upper House as the joint candidate of the NC–Congress alliance.

The polls will be held on October 24, with the last date for filing nominations fixed for October 7. These seats have been lying vacant since February 2021, following the retirement of former members Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Shamsher Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Nazir Ahmad Laway.

According to political observers, the National Conference–Congress alliance, which commands a significant share in the J&K Assembly, is well placed to win at least three of the four seats, while the BJP may have to settle for just one. Sources indicate that Ghulam Ahmad Mir, currently the Congress Legislature Party leader in J&K, has emerged as the frontrunner to be fielded as the Congress nominee.

If elected, Mir’s entry into the Rajya Sabha would mark a significant boost for the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir politics, particularly at a time when the party is seeking to consolidate its position ahead of the Assembly session slated for next month.

Political analysts say that the alliance’s seat-sharing formula will play a decisive role in finalizing the candidates. While the National Conference is expected to retain the larger share, Congress is pushing for Mir’s candidature as part of the arrangement.

The notification for the elections will be issued on September 30, and the counting of votes is scheduled for October 24 evening.