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Title: BJP’s Offer to NC Denied, Says Farooq Abdullah
In Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah, president of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (NC), said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) approached his party with a “deal” ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which the NC rejected. He stated that the BJP proposed the NC take three of the four Rajya Sabha seats while the BJP would get one without contest — but the NC insisted on a full electoral contest.
Response to Allegations from Sajad Lone
Abdullah dismissed allegations made by the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Conference (PC) leader, Sajad Lone, that the NC had “gifted” votes to the BJP. He pointed out that one of the NC candidates still received just 21 votes, showing the party did not strategically transfer votes to benefit the BJP. He said his MLAs remained united and the BJP was unable to influence them.
NC’s Alliance Support and BJP’s Stand
The NC had secured the support of the Indian National Congress and the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the polls, which strengthened its position given its majority in the Assembly compared to the BJP. The BJP counters that it legitimately secured one Rajya Sabha seat under the process and rejected the “fixed‐match” narrative.
Political Atmosphere in J&K
This episode underscores the charged political atmosphere around the Upper House polls in Jammu and Kashmir, with accusations of back‐room deals and vote transfers adding to the stakes.
