Asif Iqbal Naik
Srinagar, October 16, 2025: In a key political development in Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti has indicated to National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah that the PDP would consider supporting the NC in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, provided the NC backs two critical legislative measures in the Assembly — the Land Bill and the Regularisation of Daily Wagers Bill.
Sources suggest that while the NC is reportedly comfortable securing three of the four Rajya Sabha seats, the party is exploring strategic support to ensure victory for the fourth seat, making PDP’s conditional offer potentially decisive. Mehbooba Mufti’s proposal links the backing of this fourth seat to the passage of the two bills, signaling a calculated political exchange between the two major regional parties.
Analysts explain that the Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir are governed by the single transferable vote system, making every MLA vote crucial. With 87 MLAs in the Assembly, the NC’s hold on three seats is largely assured, but the fourth seat depends on tactical alliances and vote transfers. In this scenario, PDP’s support could tip the balance, emphasizing the importance of the conditional understanding between the parties.
The Land Bill, aimed at clarifying land ownership and usage rights, and the Regularisation of Daily Wagers Bill, which seeks to provide employment security for temporary government workers, have been longstanding demands of the PDP. Their backing by the NC could pave the way for smoother legislative cooperation in the future, while refusal may compel the NC to seek alternative alliances to secure the fourth seat.
Deliberations are ongoing, and political insiders suggest that final decisions will likely hinge on assurances regarding the bills’ passage and the strategic calculations surrounding the fourth Rajya Sabha seat.
