- Political storm brews as Deputy CM alleges BJP engineered Rajya Sabha win through ‘vote chori’
JAMMU, October 25: In a sharp political outburst following the dramatic Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary alleged that the BJP’s victory on one seat was the result of “vote chori” (vote theft), asserting that the outcome exposed the party’s manipulation of the democratic process.
Addressing reporters in Udhampur, Choudhary said the result vindicated long-standing allegations that the BJP has been using unfair means to secure electoral victories. “We used to hear that the BJP buys and steals votes, but now the people of Jammu and Kashmir have seen it for themselves. The truth has come out — the BJP has managed votes that did not belong to them,” Choudhary remarked.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s remarks come amid a heated political storm following the first Rajya Sabha elections held in J&K after its conversion into a Union Territory in 2019, in which the ruling National Conference (NC) won three seats, while the BJP clinched the fourth — a result that stunned observers given the BJP’s numerical disadvantage.
“The BJP had only 28 members but their candidate ended up getting 32 votes. From where did these four extra votes appear? It is now clear that horse-trading and vote theft have taken place,” Choudhary alleged. Without mincing words, he described the BJP as a “lollipop party” that preaches ethics but practices deceit. “They lecture us about principles, but they should first learn what decency and democracy truly mean,” he said.
Choudhary reaffirmed that the NC did not engage in any vote exchange or monetary dealings, maintaining that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had long warned about the BJP’s attempts to influence legislators. “Our party has not bartered votes for power or money. We would rather step away from government than ally with the BJP,” he asserted, adding that “some traitors” within the opposition bloc betrayed their commitment and sided with the saffron party.
The Deputy Chief Minister also pointed fingers at other opposition leaders for aiding the BJP indirectly. “Those who abstained from voting are equally responsible. Abstaining means helping the BJP — it is a political partnership in disguise,” he said, in an apparent reference to People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone, who had earlier claimed that the NC “gifted” votes to the BJP to ensure its win.
Rejecting Lone’s accusation as “a diversion tactic,” Choudhary said, “Those blaming the NC are only trying to hide their own actions. The BJP and its sympathizers must be exposed before the people.” He reiterated that none of the NC legislators cross-voted and that the outcome was purely the result of BJP’s “manipulation and inducement.”
Choudhary also lauded the NC’s decision to send Gurwinder Singh Oberoi to the Rajya Sabha, calling it a reflection of the party’s inclusive vision and commitment to representing all communities. “Our representatives in the Rajya Sabha will be the true voice of Jammu and Kashmir — they will raise the issues of the poor before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah,” he said.
Pledging to intensify the NC’s campaign in the upcoming Nagrota bypolls, Choudhary said the party would fight “with full strength and moral clarity.” He added, “We may have lost a seat, but we have gained the moral high ground. We will continue to speak the truth, regardless of political cost. The BJP can manipulate votes, but not the conscience of the people.”