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SRINAGAR JULY 22:-Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has raised concerns over the prolonged delay in conducting Rajya Sabha elections and bye-elections to two assembly seats in the Union Territory. He pointed out that the region has remained unrepresented in the Rajya Sabha since February 2021, despite having four seats. In a recent interview, he questioned the Election Commission’s silence on the issue, especially when by-elections for the Nagrota and Budgam assembly seats are also pending. Abdullah emphasized that these vacancies undermine democratic representation and questioned why, even after two assembly sessions, no steps have been taken.
Abdullah recalled how in 2014, despite severe floods, the Election Commission insisted that elections could not be postponed. “Now, we are not even asking for a delay — we’re asking for elections that should’ve already happened,” he said. He added that conducting Rajya Sabha elections takes just one day and stressed the importance of giving Jammu and Kashmir a voice in the Upper House, regardless of party lines. “Today, we have no representation at all,” he said, calling the situation deeply unfair.
(News Courtesy Kashmir News)