Jammu & Kashmir – First Rajya Sabha Elections since abrogation of Article 370

The National Conference (NC) has clinched three of the four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir in first elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The polls, held on October 23 and 24, have drawn national attention as they signify a crucial step in restoring parliamentary representation from the Union Territory after nearly a decade.

National Conference Dominates Poll Outcome

National Conference leaders Sajad Kichloo, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, and GS (Shammi) Oberoi emerged victorious in the Rajya Sabha elections, while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sat Sharma secured the fourth seat. The results were declared on Friday, October 24, reflecting NC’s strong legislative presence and renewed political momentum in the region.

First Election After Constitutional Reorganisation

This Rajya Sabha election carries immense political weight as it is the first to be held since Jammu and Kashmir’s reorganisation into a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370. The exercise marks a revival of democratic processes that had remained suspended since the dissolution of the erstwhile state assembly in 2018. Over 70 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, participated in the voting process, held at three polling booths set up within the Legislative Assembly premises.

Rajya Sabha Elections

Members of the Rajya Sabha, or the Council of States, are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies through a single transferable vote system of proportional representation. Jammu and Kashmir, now a Union Territory with a legislature, sends four members to the Upper House. Each seat holds significance as it contributes to the voice of the region in national policymaking, particularly after a prolonged gap since the last Rajya Sabha polls were conducted nearly ten years ago.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Indian Parliament, comprising 245 members.
• Members serve staggered six-year terms, with one-third retiring every two years.
• Jammu and Kashmir sends four members to the Rajya Sabha.
• The 2025 election is the first in J&K since Article 370 was revoked in August 2019.

Significance

The outcome of this election is being viewed as a reflection of shifting political alignments in Jammu and Kashmir, with the National Conference consolidating its position ahead of the next Assembly elections. It also represents a milestone in the Union Territory’s gradual reintegration into India’s federal parliamentary framework, signalling both administrative stability and a resurgence of local political participation.