J&K has right to have representation in RS: Tanvir Sadiq

Srinagar, May 26: National Conference (NC) Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq on Monday said Jammu and Kashmir has a right to have its representation in Rajya Sabha.

Talking to reporters here, he said there was an inordinate delay by Election Commission (EC) in holding the election for Rajya Sabha seat and Bi-elections for two seats in Nagrota and Budgam Assembly constituency.

"Jammu and Kashmir has a right to have a Rajya Sabha seat. It has been around six to seven months but the Election Commission has not conducted Rajya Sabha elections," he said. Tanvir Sadiq said people of Jammu Kashmir have a right to have their representations in Rajya Sabha.

"It should be elected as soon as possible," he said. He further expressed surprise over delay in holding Bi-elections in Nagrota and Budgam Assembly constituency.

"It is very important that the Election Commission should take cognizance of this. If the Rajya Sabha seat is represented in the entire country, why is it not represented in Jammu and Kashmir. I think it is very important that besides the Rajya Sabha elections, Bi-elections should be held as soon as possible," he said. Notably, Rajya Sabha elections are pending since February 2021.

The Nagrota seat became vacant following the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana, while the Budgam seat was vacated when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah retained the Ganderbal seat.

The four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir have remained vacant since February 2021, after the terms of Ghulam Nabi Azad, Shamsher Singh Manhas, Nazir Ahmad Laway, and Fayaz Ahmad Mir ended.

The elections for these seats could not be conducted earlier as Jammu and Kashmir was under President's rule until October 2024.

Meanwhile Tanvir Sadiq further said that the Working Committee was the most important governing body of the National Conference. "The Working Committee decides the agenda of the party. In this agenda, we have told people that we always stood by our agenda, whether it is a resolution or a special status or a statehood," he said.

Reacting on the remarks of opposition parties, Tanvir Sadiq said such people do not have other issues to comment on. "CM Omar Abdullah has tried to reach everywhere, whether it is Gulmarg or Pahalgam. Our motive is to ensure governance at the doorstep everywhere," he said.