Sajjad Lone Accuses Major Parties of Collusion in Jammu and Kashmir Rajya Sabha Elections
Controversy Erupts in Jammu and Kashmir Politics
Sajjad Gani Lone, the head of the People's Conference and a legislator from Handwara, stirred up a significant controversy in Jammu and Kashmir's political landscape on Wednesday. He leveled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), National Conference (NC), and People's Democratic Party (PDP) regarding the Rajya Sabha elections held last year, claiming they engaged in "match-fixing" and secret agreements.
In the Rajya Sabha elections, the ruling NC secured victories for three seats, while the opposition BJP managed to win one seat despite lacking sufficient numbers. Notably, at least four non-BJP legislators voted in favor of BJP candidate Sat Sharma, who received a total of 32 votes, even though the BJP had only 28 members in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Lone did not participate in the voting, which inadvertently benefited the BJP candidate.
Allegations of Collusion Among Political Parties
In a statement, Lone remarked that the lack of emphasis by NC on appointing an agent and the absence of a designated agent from the PDP indicates potential "match-fixing." He referenced a response received under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which revealed that the PDP did not appoint a chief agent for the Rajya Sabha elections.
The legislator from Handwara asserted that the RTI response suggests collusion among at least three parties—BJP, NC, and PDP—during the Rajya Sabha elections. He stated, "Without the active support of NC and PDP, the BJP could not have won the Rajya Sabha seat."
Reflections on Past Elections
Recalling the 2015 Rajya Sabha elections, Lone noted that the People's Conference did not field a candidate, yet the then-ruling coalition requested his party to appoint a preferred agent. He said, "I remember casting my vote in the 2015 Rajya Sabha elections. Our party had no candidate, but the ruling coalition (PDP-BJP) asked us to appoint an agent of their choice."
Lone emphasized that the appointed agent was not a legislator and was responsible for verifying the votes of the legislators.