Srinagar, Oct 24: The National Conference (NC) received a strategic boost on the day of the Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, as Sheikh Khursheed, the lone Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) MLA, announced his support for the ruling party “to keep the BJP out.”
Khursheed, representing Langate in Kupwara district, confirmed that his party would vote for the NC candidates as polling for the four Rajya Sabha seats commenced at the Assembly complex on Friday.
“We have decided to vote against the BJP and in favour of the NC candidates,” Khursheed told reporters. He is the brother of jailed Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, Sheikh Abdula Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid.
Acknowledging existing political differences with the NC, Khursheed said, “We submitted several resolutions and bills in the last Assembly session, but they were not accepted. However, given the present situation, we are compelled to support the NC to prevent a BJP victory. Our vote is not out of support for NC, but to keep the BJP away.”
He further explained that abstaining from voting could have resulted in NC losing a seat while benefiting the BJP. “Our priority is to ensure the BJP is kept out. We aim to block them from securing the fourth seat as well,” Khursheed added.
This development strengthens NC’s position in the crucial Rajya Sabha polls and highlights strategic alliances shaping the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.