October 24, Srinagar — Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a political earthquake yesterday. The Rajya Sabha polls, held for the first time since Article 370’s abrogation, delivered an unexpected twist. While National Conference (NC) secured three seats, BJP clinched the fourth amid stunning allegations. Cross-voting accusations, viral videos, and heated confrontations dominated the aftermath.
Historic Polls Turn Controversial
Yesterday’s elections marked a watershed moment. Four vacant Rajya Sabha seats were at stake. The National Conference, riding high on its assembly strength, fielded four candidates. BJP nominated three. However, the mathematical certainty collapsed spectacularly when vote counting began.
NC candidates Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, Sajad Kichloo, and Gurwinder Singh Oberoi emerged victorious. Ramzan secured 58 votes while Kichloo garnered 57. The drama unfolded with the fourth seat. BJP’s Sat Sharma defeated NC’s Imran Nabi Dar with 32 votes—four more than BJP’s 28-member strength.
This numerical anomaly triggered immediate controversy. Moreover, it exposed cracks within the opposition alliance. Political observers scrambled to decipher where those extra votes originated.
The Numbers Game
Understanding the assembly arithmetic clarifies the shock. The 90-member assembly currently has 88 active members. Two seats await by-elections scheduled for November. BJP controls 28 MLAs. NC commands 41 legislators.
Congress contributed six MLAs to the ruling alliance. PDP pledged three votes. Independent MLAs, CPI(M), and AAP also backed NC candidates. Additionally, NC enjoyed support from five independents who joined the party post-election.
Theoretically, this gave NC overwhelming strength. The alliance commanded 58 votes—sufficient for a clean sweep. However, reality proved different. Sajad Lone abstained from voting entirely. Jailed AAP MLA Mehraj Malik cast his vote via postal ballot.
When votes were counted, Sharma’s 32-vote tally defied expectations. Consequently, fingers pointed toward cross-voting or deliberately invalidated ballots.
Sajad Lone’s Explosive Accusations
People’s Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone emerged as the fiercest critic. His allegations went viral across social media platforms. Lone termed the elections a “fixed match” between NC and BJP.
“So BJP wins the fourth seat. As predicted—a fixed match. Axis of the evil—NC and BJP,” Lone posted on X. His video message circulated widely, garnering massive attention.
Lone questioned NC’s voting pattern meticulously. Why did NC poll 31 votes for its third candidate when 28-29 would suffice? This mathematical excess raised suspicions. Furthermore, Lone accused NC of deliberately helping BJP secure the fourth seat.
“Who cross-voted? Whose votes were rejected? Who was hand-in-glove?” Lone demanded publicly. His abstention from voting appeared vindicated by subsequent events.
Before the polls, Lone had accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of denying Congress a “safe seat” at BJP’s behest. He challenged Omar to prove otherwise. “Omar is on a trip to please BJP,” Lone declared during a press conference.
Omar Abdullah Fires Back
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rejected cross-voting allegations vehemently. He insisted all NC votes remained intact. His election agent verified each polling slip personally, he claimed.
“All NC votes remained intact across the four elections,” Omar posted on X. He then posed pointed questions: “Where did BJP’s four extra votes come from?”
Omar challenged MLAs who deliberately invalidated their votes. “Do they have the guts to put their hands up?” he asked. Pressure or inducement influenced their decisions, he suggested.
Subsequently, Omar congratulated the three winning NC candidates. However, he expressed sympathy for Imran Nabi Dar. The young spokesperson lost despite maximum efforts, Omar noted.
Later, Omar targeted “secret BJP supporters” without naming individuals. He thanked PDP and Congress for their support. Nevertheless, he acknowledged betrayal from within the alliance.
PDP’s Strategic Calculation
Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti announced support reluctantly. She framed it as a pragmatic necessity rather than endorsement.
“This party doesn’t deserve it, but we have to give our support,” Mufti declared. Her goal remained clear—keep “fascist forces” away.
PDP sought NC’s backing for two private member bills. The land rights regularization bill and daily wagers regularization bill topped their agenda. However, Mufti refused support for the fourth seat.
After results were announced, Mufti congratulated NC’s winning candidates. She hoped they would strongly represent Kashmir’s people in Parliament.
AAP and Congress Navigate Tensions
Aam Aadmi Party maintained a low profile throughout. Their sole MLA, Mehraj Malik, voted from detention via postal ballot. His vote acquired kingmaker significance after Sajad Lone’s abstention.
Congress faced internal turmoil before the polls. The party had withdrawn from contesting, citing NC’s refusal of a “safe seat”. JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra expressed disappointment publicly.
Nevertheless, Congress decided to back NC candidates eventually. Karra emphasized defeating BJP as their top priority. The party set aside differences with NC for this “larger goal”.
Post-results, Karra congratulated NC for securing three seats. He acknowledged their “strong fight” for the fourth seat.
Cross-Voting Mystery Deepens
The central mystery remains unsolved. Who provided BJP those four crucial votes? Several theories emerged immediately. Cross-voting by independent MLAs topped the list.
Three votes were declared invalid during counting. This raised further questions. Did MLAs deliberately spoil their ballots? Omar Abdullah certainly thought so.
Former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu suggested PDP involvement. He predicted NC would eventually blame PDP for cross-voting. However, no concrete evidence surfaced.
Independent candidate Shabir Ahmed Kullay demanded identification of the four lawmakers. “They need to be exposed before the public,” he insisted. Such acts have weakened Kashmir’s democratic spirit, Kullay argued.
Mathematical analysis supports manipulation theories. BJP needed 29 votes minimum for victory. They secured 32. Four MLAs beyond BJP’s bloc clearly assisted them.
Political Fallout and Implications
The controversy has multiple dimensions. First, it exposes fragility within opposition unity. Despite common anti-BJP rhetoric, trust remains absent.
Second, it raises questions about NC’s strategy. Why allocate 31 votes for the third candidate unnecessarily? Did NC prioritize other considerations over winning all four seats?
Third, it vindicates Sajad Lone’s abstention decision partially. His prediction of a “fixed match” found mathematical support post-results.
Fourth, it damages NC’s credibility among alliance partners. Congress already felt betrayed over seat allocation. This outcome worsened tensions further.
Fifth, it provides BJP moral victory despite limited numbers. The saffron party demonstrated reach beyond its official strength. This psychological advantage matters significantly.
Historical Context Matters
These polls carried immense significance. Kashmir remained unrepresented in Rajya Sabha since February 2021. Four seats lay vacant after terms expired.
Article 370’s abrogation in 2019 transformed political landscape dramatically. The first Rajya Sabha election post-reorganization attracted enormous attention.
Delayed elections occurred due to missing elected assembly. Recent assembly polls restored representative government. Consequently, these Rajya Sabha elections became inevitable.
Both NC and BJP invested heavily in outcomes. For NC, clean sweep would consolidate power. For BJP, even one seat signaled continued relevance despite electoral losses.
What Lies Ahead
The controversy won’t disappear quickly. Demands for investigation will intensify. Lone’s allegations require serious examination. Omar’s counter-claims need substantiation too.
Furthermore, this episode will influence future political equations. NC-Congress relations need repair. Trust between opposition parties requires rebuilding.
BJP gains psychological edge moving forward. Their ability to engineer surprises despite numerical disadvantage sends strong messages. Opposition parties must reassess strategies accordingly.
Moreover, upcoming by-elections in November acquire added significance. Nagrota and Budgam seats will test political temperatures again. Both camps will approach them with heightened caution.
The Broader Picture
Beyond immediate controversies, larger patterns emerge. Regional politics in Kashmir remains deeply fractured. Personal ambitions often override collective goals.
Alliance management needs improvement dramatically. NC’s treatment of Congress damaged coalition health. Transparent negotiations would prevent such ruptures.
Additionally, independent MLAs wield disproportionate influence. Their unpredictable behavior shapes critical outcomes. Parties must engage them more seriously.
Finally, institutional reforms deserve consideration. Secret ballot provisions create accountability gaps. While protecting legislative independence, they enable manipulation too.
Conclusion
Yesterday’s Rajya Sabha polls delivered drama, controversy, and unexpected outcomes. NC won three seats but lost credibility. BJP gained one seat but scored psychological triumph. Sajad Lone’s accusations went viral, exposing alliance fragilities. Cross-voting mysteries remain unsolved despite intense speculation.
The episode highlights Kashmir’s turbulent political landscape. Trust deficit undermines opposition unity. Strategic miscalculations cost precious victories. Personal agendas eclipse collective interests. Moving forward, all parties must learn crucial lessons. Transparent negotiations, credible commitments, and disciplined execution matter enormously. Otherwise, similar controversies will continue haunting Kashmir’s democratic processes.
