AIP MLA Sheikh Khursheed Backs NC to Block BJP in J&K Rajya Sabha Polls

In a dramatic twist during Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajya Sabha elections on Friday, the Awami Ittehad Party’s (AIP) sole MLA, Sheikh Khursheed, threw his support behind the National Conference (NC) candidates to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from securing seats. The announcement, made as polling for the Union Territory’s four Rajya Sabha seats began in the Assembly complex, has bolstered the NC’s position in a tightly contested race.

Khursheed, representing Langate in Kupwara district, clarified that his decision was driven by a strategic need to counter the BJP rather than an alignment with the NC. “We have significant political differences with the NC, but we are compelled to vote for their candidates to ensure the BJP’s defeat,” Khursheed told reporters. He emphasized that the AIP’s vote was not an endorsement of the NC but a calculated move to block the BJP’s influence in the region.

The AIP MLA, brother of jailed Baramulla Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid (Engineer Rashid), highlighted past frustrations with the NC, noting that resolutions and bills proposed by his party in recent Assembly sessions were rejected. Despite this, Khursheed underscored the necessity of supporting the NC to prevent a BJP victory, particularly for the contested fourth seat. “If we had abstained, it would have hurt the NC and benefited the BJP. Our goal is to ensure the BJP loses,” he stated.

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The Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, a Union Territory since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, have drawn significant attention due to their political implications. The NC, leading the ruling coalition, is banking on alliances and strategic support to secure a majority of the seats. Khursheed’s backing strengthens their position, potentially tipping the scales against the BJP.

Political analysts view this move as a pragmatic alliance, reflecting the complex dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir’s politics. The AIP’s decision underscores a broader sentiment among some regional parties to prioritize blocking the BJP over ideological differences with the NC. As the election unfolds, all eyes are on whether this unexpected support will reshape the region’s representation in the Rajya Sabha.

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