Allegations of Cross Voting Overshadow Rajya Sabha Polls in Jammu and Kashmir

Strategic Insights -

The ruling National Conference (JKNC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir have denied allegations of cross voting in the Rajya Sabha polls, citing the outcome as a surprise win for the BJP. The JKNC won three out of four Rajya Sabha seats, while the BJP secured one seat, with J-K BJP president Sat Sharma defeating NC candidate Imran Nabi Dar by securing 32 votes. The allegations of cross voting have sparked controversy, with the People's Conference chief, Sajad Lone, accusing the NC of "gifted" seven votes to the BJP, a charge denied by Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Meanwhile, the BJP has claimed that they made "no contact" with any legislators, but requested them to vote for the party to reject the current government's "anti-people" policies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Conference (JKNC) won three out of four Rajya Sabha seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured one seat with J-K BJP president Sat Sharma winning by securing 32 votes.
  • The JKNC denied allegations that they gifted seven votes to the BJP, with Dr. Farooq Abdullah stating that the party rejected an offer from the BJP to not contest and instead chose to contest and win the seats.
  • The BJP made no contact with any legislators, but requested them to vote for the party to reject the current government's "anti-people" policies.
  • People's Conference chief Sajad Lone accused the NC of "fixed match" with the BJP, claiming that the NC gifted seven votes to the BJP.
  • The NC's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the party was thankful to the seven legislators who rejected the NC and supported the BJP candidate.
  • The awareness of cross voting and political maneuvering in the Assembly is expected to overshadow the celebrations of the National Conference's victory.

Statistics:

  • Out of four Rajya Sabha seats, the JKNC won three and the BJP secured one seat.
  • J-K BJP president Sat Sharma won the fourth seat by securing 32 votes.
  • The NC's candidate Imran Nabi Dar secured 21 votes.
  • Seven non-BJP MLAs supported the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls.

Sources:

  • P. K. Jha, BJP pushing hard for 4 Rajya Sabha seat (Pioneer, Oct 19, 2022)
  • HT Digital Content Services (HT Digital Content Services, Oct 27, 2022)
  • Written by: M T Waqar (The Pioneer, Oct 27, 2022)