The vote of jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, Mehraj Malik, has emerged as a potential decider in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

This follows the decision of Sajad Lone, People’s Conference MLA from Handwara in J&K's Kupwara district, to abstain from voting.

After Lone’s decision, the number of MLAs has fallen to 87 in a crucial round where two NC candidates, Shami Oberoi and Imran Nabi Dar, and BJP candidate and state president, Sat Sharma, are in the fray. The election will be held on October 24.

Malik’s counsel has requested the High Court of J&K for permission to allow him to cast his vote. The court will announce its decision on the matter after receiving a response from the government on October 18.

With three candidates contesting for two Rajya Sabha se

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