For 5 years, J&K had no voice in Rajya Sabha: Azad

Srinagar, Sep 27: Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman and former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday welcomed the Election Commission of India’s decision to hold long-pending Rajya Sabha elections from the Union Territory, saying the absence of J&K’s voice in the Upper House for the last five years had pushed local concerns into silence at the national level.

“For five years, Jammu and Kashmir had no representation in the Rajya Sabha. As a result, our issues were not highlighted in Parliament,” Azad said, calling the announcement “a necessary correction” and “a relief for the people who had gone unheard,” as per KNS.

Azad underlined the distinction between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha representation, stressing the strategic importance of the Upper House seats for J&K. “A Rajya Sabha member is not like a Lok Sabha MP who represents only his constituency. A Rajya Sabha MP represents the entire state. That voice was missing,” he said.

Acknowledging the contribution of J&K’s Lok Sabha MPs, he said that the members of J&K in the Lok Sabha have remained active so far. "I hope whosoever comes to the Rajya Sabha now will also remain active and raise the problems of the people.” Azad said this decision comes not a moment too soon. “Thanks to the ECI for announcing the elections now. Whoever comes as a Rajya Sabha member will finally be able to highlight our issues,” he said. Azad said that the selection of candidates would ultimately rest with party leaderships.