Jammu and Kashmir has been without Rajya Sabha members since February 2021, when the terms of sitting MPs expired. Ghulam Nabi Azad and Nazir Ahmed Laway completed their tenure on February 15, 2021, while Fayaz Ahmed Mir and Shamsher Singh Manhas finished theirs on February 10 of the same year.
At that time, elections could not be held as the region lacked a functioning legislative assembly—the body responsible for electing Rajya Sabha representatives. The vacuum left the UT unrepresented in the Upper House, raising concerns about the political voice of J&K at the national level.
Impact of J&K Reorganisation
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature, and Ladakh without one. According to the Act, the four Rajya Sabha seats were allocated to Jammu and Kashmir. However, the absence of a legislative assembly stalled the electoral process until now.
ECI statement and schedule
Announcing the schedule on Wednesday, the ECI stated that following the constitution of the J&K Legislative Assembly in 2024, the electorate required for biennial polls is now in place. With this, the electoral college can finally elect representatives to the Upper House.
The polls will be conducted on October 24, with counting scheduled for the same evening, an hour after polling concludes. The Commission emphasized its commitment to ensuring free and fair elections, under the supervision of appointed observers.
Political significance
The return of J&K representation in the Rajya Sabha is politically significant, as it restores the UT’s voice in national legislation after years of silence. Parties across the spectrum—particularly the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, BJP, and Congress—are expected to contest fiercely for the four seats.
The development also comes at a time when Ladakh is witnessing its own wave of political unrest and demands for statehood, making representation from J&K in Parliament all the more crucial.
Looking ahead
With elections scheduled, the focus now shifts to party strategies and alliances in the newly constituted J&K Assembly. The Rajya Sabha polls will not only test party strength but also set the stage for how regional and national interests will align in the months ahead.
Observers believe that these polls will serve as a litmus test for political stability in the Union Territory and will play a role in shaping its relationship with the Centre going forward.