SEP 24: In the lead-up to the impending Rajya Sabha elections, the Congress is actively considering nominating Ghulam Ahmad Mir from Jammu & Kashmir as its candidate. His selection would serve not just a parliamentary role, but also a political function — positioning him as a key link in bolstering the alliance between the Congress and the National Conference (NC).
Inside party circles, Mir is viewed as a credible and effective option. He currently holds the post of general secretary in charge of West Bengal and has previously overseen Congress affairs in Jharkhand, where he contributed to the party’s electoral advances. His role across states is seen as evidence of his adaptability and national outlook — qualities important for the upper house.
J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra recently disclosed that the final decision on the Rajya Sabha nomination would rest with the party’s high command, signaling that current deliberations are preliminary.
From a numbers standpoint, the NC-Congress alliance is projected to secure three of the four Rajya Sabha seats from the region. Given that Congress holds six MLAs in the Jammu & Kashmir assembly, it is expected to stake a claim to one of these safer seats.
However, this plan is not without friction. Some within NC argue against conceding any of the seats, citing the need to accommodate their own cadre and senior leaders. If the Congress nomination goes through, Mir would become a central player — not only in Parliament, but also as a concrete symbol of the NC–Congress understanding in J&K.