Opp leaders question BJP’s surprising victory, role of independent MLAs
Srinagar: A political controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir following Friday’s Rajya Sabha elections, amid suspicions of cross-voting and ballot irregularities that have cast doubt on the results. People’s Conference President and Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone strongly criticized the election outcome, calling it a “fixed match” between the National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Other parties are also speculating about which four MLAs allegedly supported the BJP’s surprising victory.
In the election, the NC secured three of the four seats, while the BJP managed to win one seat—reportedly with support from four independent MLAs—raising questions about political loyalties. All 86 MLAs participated in the voting, including incarcerated Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, who cast his vote via postal ballot. BJP leader Sat Sharma won the fourth seat with 32 votes, surpassing his party’s 28 votes, while NC’s Imran Nabi Dar received 22 votes. The higher vote tally for BJP suggests possible cross-voting from MLAs outside their ranks.
Following the results, NC Vice President Omar Abdullah expressed skepticism on social media, questioning the source of the four extra votes that helped BJP secure the seat. He accused some MLAs of deliberately invalidating their ballots to favor the BJP and questioned whether any pressure or inducement influenced their decisions. Sources suggest that the BJP’s vote count exceeded its official strength in the Assembly, indicating that at least four independents or smaller party legislators may have crossed over to support the saffron party.
Sajjad Lone also voiced his disapproval, implying that the outcome was predetermined. On social media, he accused the NC and BJP of colluding and remarked, “Thank God I abstained,” hinting at a manipulated process. Lone pointed out that the NC cast more votes than necessary for its third candidate, suggesting possible vote manipulation.
Meanwhile, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti congratulated the NC, stating that the results demonstrated a united regional effort to defend Jammu and Kashmir’s interests in Parliament. The controversy continues to focus on the mysterious extra votes and the integrity of the electoral process.