Political tensions escalated in Kashmir after the BJP secured a Rajya Sabha seat with support from legislators outside the party. While National Conference leadership denied cross-voting allegations, party president Farooq Abdullah revealed the BJP had approached them for a seat prior to the polls, a claim refuted by Sajad Lone. Omar Abdullah SRINAGAR: Political tempers are running high in Kashmir Valley after BJP won one of the four Rajya Sabha seats in J&K with support from four legislators outside the party on Friday. The National Conference (NC) leadership exonerated its legislators and allies of cross-voting charges, although party president Farooq Abdullah created a flutter by revealing that BJP had approached them before the polls.Chief minister Omar Abdullah said NC could not manage a clean sweep as it was betrayed, but he refused to disclose the names of those who cross-voted.“One shouldn’t have any complaints with a 3-1 score. We tried for a 4-nil victory, but we were ditched at the last moment by some people,” Omar said on Saturday.“Everyone knows the names of those who betrayed us and voted for BJP, I don’t want to repeat them. But, their act is regrettable,” Omar said, adding it was not appropriate to reveal the names.Giving a clean chit to his party members, the CM said, “I am satisfied that not a single NC vote went elsewhere. All NC legislators showed their polling slips to their party agent.”Omar thanked Congress and “some other colleagues” for their support, but did not name Membooba Mufti-led PDP, thus keep it in the circle of doubt. He also accused People’s Conference (PC) neta Sajad Lone of helping BJP by abstaining from voting, and “now lecturing us like a professor”.The retort came after Lone alleged that “all the cross-voting was done by NC”. “Omar Abdullah is the biggest supporter of BJP, bigger than their own leaders. The Rajya Sabha polls were a fixed match between BJP and NC. It was pre-decided that NC would take three seats and BJP one,” the PC chief told reporters.BJP on Friday sprang a surprise in J&K’s first RS elections since the abrogation of Article 370, winning a seat with 32 votes — four more than its strength of 28 in the assembly.Farooq added more spice to the political debate, claiming that BJP had approached NC before the polls. Addressing a presser alongside the elected NC candidates, he said: “People will say whatever they have to say, but we didn’t gift any seat to BJP. They came to us ahead of the polls asking us for one seat. We refused and decided to fight it out.”Referring to Farooq’s statement, Lone said it was an admission that BJP and NC remained in touch. “That means a dialogue mechanism exists between the two parties. That means they had discussions about Rajya Sabha (polls)… Isn’t that what we have been saying all along — fixed match,” he said.Jailed AAP legislator Mehraj Malik issued a statement saying he voted for NC in “the larger interests of J&K” despite no one from the party approaching him, but was “now being questioned by some of their leaders”. NC spokesperson Ifra Jasn had accused the Doda MLA of voting for BJP.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘You can call me Raja’: Indian-origin Congressman shocks racist Florida leader with responseMary Millben Lauds PM Modi’s Leadership, Says Rahul Gandhi ‘Not the Right Person to Lead India’Mary Millben Lauds PM Modi’s Resilience Amid Trump Tariff Challenge, Applauds His DiplomacyIGIA Terminal 2 Inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister, Domestic Flights Resume From SundayIn Khagariya, Amit Shah Frames Bihar Poll As Choice Between NDA’s Five Pandavas And RJD’s Jungle RajTwo Australian Women Cricketers Stalked and Molested in Indore; Police Arrest Accused Amid OutrageBattle for Bihar: Anger, Jobs & Caste – Will Tejashwi Yadav Survive Raghopur’s Tough Questions?9/11 attacks: Ex-CIA officer claims Osama bin Laden escaped to Pakistan disguised as woman‘Bihar Got Not Even 1% of Gujarat’s Share’: Tejashwi Yadav Explodes at PM ModiBangladesh Political Crisis: Sheikh Hasina’s Son Sajeeb Wazed Urges Yunus For Inclusive Election123 Photostories The Great US Return: Office Mandates vs. Remote Work Resistance10 beautiful sarees of Pooja Hegde which are perfect for Chhath Puja 2025Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame Nidhi Bhanushali aka former Sonu looks all grown up in desi wearFrom opening about his son Aaryamann’s depression to joking about wanting royalties from Kapil Sharma: Parmeet Sethi gets candid about his life with Archana Puran Singh5 foods that may help slow down or prevent premature graying of hair7 indoor-friendly cactus varieties to grow in your balcony gardenBill Gates’ 5 tips for happiness, which can be achieved with daily practice — And it is not moneyBollywood’s first Rs.100 crore movie didn’t star a Khan, Kapoor, or Bachchan, guess the film!Tula Japnar Ahe: Unmissable looks of reel couple Pratiksha Shiwankar and Neeraj Goswami5 best Bihari sarees to wear for Chhath Puja 2025123Hot PicksDhanteras Gold PriceVande Bharat SleeperBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays OctoberBank Holidays OctoberTop TrendingAndre AgassiLewis HamiltonKendrick PerkinsNBA Gambling ScandalBrad MarchandStephen Curry WifeJustin HerbertLeBron JamesAaron GordonEmman Atienza
SRINAGAR: Political tempers are running high in Kashmir Valley after BJP won one of the four Rajya Sabha seats in J&K with support from four legislators outside the party on Friday. The National Conference (NC) leadership exonerated its legislators and allies of cross-voting charges, although party president Farooq Abdullah created a flutter by revealing that BJP had approached them before the polls.Chief minister Omar Abdullah said NC could not manage a clean sweep as it was betrayed, but he refused to disclose the names of those who cross-voted.“One shouldn’t have any complaints with a 3-1 score. We tried for a 4-nil victory, but we were ditched at the last moment by some people,” Omar said on Saturday.“Everyone knows the names of those who betrayed us and voted for BJP, I don’t want to repeat them. But, their act is regrettable,” Omar said, adding it was not appropriate to reveal the names.Giving a clean chit to his party members, the CM said, “I am satisfied that not a single NC vote went elsewhere. All NC legislators showed their polling slips to their party agent.”Omar thanked Congress and “some other colleagues” for their support, but did not name Membooba Mufti-led PDP, thus keep it in the circle of doubt. He also accused People’s Conference (PC) neta Sajad Lone of helping BJP by abstaining from voting, and “now lecturing us like a professor”.The retort came after Lone alleged that “all the cross-voting was done by NC”. “Omar Abdullah is the biggest supporter of BJP, bigger than their own leaders. The Rajya Sabha polls were a fixed match between BJP and NC. It was pre-decided that NC would take three seats and BJP one,” the PC chief told reporters.BJP on Friday sprang a surprise in J&K’s first RS elections since the abrogation of Article 370, winning a seat with 32 votes — four more than its strength of 28 in the assembly.Farooq added more spice to the political debate, claiming that BJP had approached NC before the polls. Addressing a presser alongside the elected NC candidates, he said: “People will say whatever they have to say, but we didn’t gift any seat to BJP. They came to us ahead of the polls asking us for one seat. We refused and decided to fight it out.”Referring to Farooq’s statement, Lone said it was an admission that BJP and NC remained in touch. “That means a dialogue mechanism exists between the two parties. That means they had discussions about Rajya Sabha (polls)… Isn’t that what we have been saying all along — fixed match,” he said.Jailed AAP legislator Mehraj Malik issued a statement saying he voted for NC in “the larger interests of J&K” despite no one from the party approaching him, but was “now being questioned by some of their leaders”. NC spokesperson Ifra Jasn had accused the Doda MLA of voting for BJP.
