Elections for the high-stakes four Rajya Sabha seats got underway in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, with two rival camps—the ruling NC–Congress combine and the opposition BJP—vying for victory.

The ruling alliance has the support of 53 MLAs. That includes 42 from NC, Congress 6, five Independents, and PDP 3. The BJP, along with the support of 28 of its MLAs, is banking on the organisational and managerial skills of the party and possible cross-voting.

Given the numbers game in the 88-member assembly, the NC is expected to win three seats. However, the party is facing tough competition for the fourth seat.

The Election Commission of India has issued three notifications for the four seats—one notification each for the election involving a single seat and a separate notification for the elec

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