The National Conference (NC) will now vie for all four Rajya Sabha seats on its own, a decision prompted by the Congress party’s refusal to contest. Omar Abdullah, a key leader of the NC, has directly accused the BJP of attempting to win seats through ‘horse-trading.’ Abdullah highlighted the BJP’s numerical disadvantage, noting they need 30 votes for the fourth seat but only have 28 MLAs. He asserted that any BJP success would be attributable to ‘money power, muscle power, or the use of agencies,’ potentially validating criticisms of the BJP’s conduct in the Bihar elections.
These upcoming elections are anticipated to serve as a crucial indicator of legislative loyalties, revealing which politicians genuinely oppose the BJP and which ones are secretly aligned. Abdullah cautioned that any MLA who abstains or votes in favor of the BJP will be publicly identified. He emphasized that in the preceding year, the BJP has relied solely on its 18 MLAs for support, making these elections a significant test of its broader influence. The NC’s decision to contest all seats follows the Congress’s withdrawal, despite the latter having a strong possibility of securing the fourth seat. Addressing personal speculation, Abdullah clarified that his father, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, stepped down from a potential Rajya Sabha nomination due to health reasons, not because a mandate was denied to him.