Jammu: Farooq Abdullah, the 88-year-old president of the National Conference (NC), has dropped out of the race for the Rajya Sabha elections because of health issues. The decision comes just a week after the long-time leader was hospitalized and then sent home.
Abdullah, who was the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir three times, was supposed to use his years of expertise and relationships with people from all parties to represent the region in the Upper House. His withdrawal means that he may have missed his last chance to serve in the Rajya Sabha.
After Abdullah left, the NC officially put forward three other candidates: Chowdhry Ramzan, Sajad Kitchloo, and Shami Oberoi. Even though there was a significant pro-NC wave in the recent assembly elections, Ramzan and Kitchloo lost in the Handwara and Kishtwar constituencies, respectively. Omar Abdullah’s longtime associate Oberoi is now the party’s treasurer.
The NC wants to win three of the four Rajya Sabha seats that are set aside for Jammu and Kashmir. The party has left the fourth seat available for its partner in the alliance, Congress, although sources say the offer may not mean much. With 28 MLAs, the BJP is likely to get one seat in the present assembly. With 41 MLAs and support from six independents and six Congress members, the NC is still in a good position to reach its goal. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which has three MLAs, has not yet made its position clear.
The last day to turn in nomination papers is October 13, and the election will be on October 24. Abdullah’s decision to step down, which was based on health reasons, marks a big change in the way J&K is represented in the Upper House.