Cross-Voting Row in J&K Rajya Sabha Polls Sparks Political Storm; Calls Grow to Identify Defectors

Accusations fly between NC and Peoples Conference over BJP’s surprise win

Alfaaz – The Words Desk

Srinagar: The outcome of Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir has triggered a major political controversy, with allegations of cross-voting overshadowing what was expected to be a clean sweep by the regional alliance led by the National Conference (NC).

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was not anticipated to win a seat, managed to secure one of the four positions in the Upper House, prompting demands from several quarters to identify the legislators who allegedly voted against their party lines.

Independent candidate from Shopian, Shabir Ahmed Kullay, termed the development a “betrayal of public trust,” and urged political parties to disclose the identities of the lawmakers whose votes aided the BJP. “These four lawmakers must be exposed before the people. The democratic spirit of J&K continues to weaken due to such acts,” Kullay said.

The NC, which fielded Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, Shami Oberoi, Imran Nabi Dar and Sajad Kitchloo with the backing of PDP and Congress, secured three seats. However, the BJP’s Sat Sharma emerged victorious on the fourth, reportedly gaining four votes more than expected. The rejection of NC MLA Saifuddin Bhat’s vote has further intensified scrutiny of the election process.

Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, launched a scathing attack on the NC, alleging that its own legislators “gifted seven votes to the BJP” and facilitated Sat Sharma’s win. “It was a fixed match. All cross-voting was done by the NC itself,” Lone claimed at a press conference here. Lone also announced a campaign against the ongoing reservation policy in the Union Territory.

The PC chief said he deliberately abstained from voting to avoid becoming a scapegoat. “I am grateful to Allah that I stayed away from the process, otherwise fingers would be unfairly pointed at me today,” he said.

Aam Aadmi Party incarcerated MLA Mehraj Malik’s X profile displayed a post on Friday evening, only adding to the assertions made by Sajad Lone.

Malik’s post accused the NC of betraying the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying he voted “against communal politics and for unity and justice,” but alleged the NC’s actions exposed its duplicity once again. “NC–BJP Fix Match! NC has betrayed the people of J&K for decades. They didn’t even need my vote even then, I voted against communal politics and for unity and justice. But NC deliberately cast extra votes on the 3rd RS seat to help BJP win the 4th a clear fix match! Now, Can we expect the newly elected Rajya Sabha members to raise their voice for the restoration of Statehood to Jammu & Kashmir? This time, NC cannot afford to deceive the people again on the issue of Statehood,” read the post on incarcerated MLA’s official X account.

Meanwhile, responding to the accusations, Chief Minister and NC Vice President Omar Abdullah said his party was deceived by a few lawmakers who defected at the last hour. Without naming Lone, he suggested that “silence and abstention” from some legislators indirectly benefited the BJP. “People know who betrayed us. We thank PDP and Congress for their consistent support,” Omar said. “NC’s newly-elected members would strongly represent J&K’s interests in Parliament, including the demand for restoration of statehood.”

Meanwhile, social media platforms remain flooded with speculation over the identity of the cross-voters, highlighting rising mistrust in mainstream politics.

All in all, the Rajya Sabha elections, once routine, have emerged as a flashpoint for Kashmir’s evolving political landscape post August 5, 2019 developments. (with inputs from agencies)