Senior National Conference (NC) leader and former minister Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo received an ecstatic welcome after winning a seat in the Rajya Sabha. Thousands gathered in Kishtwar today to celebrate his victory.
Supporters flooded the main market and surrounding areas for a lively victory rally, shouting slogans of “NC Zindabad” and “Kichloo Sahab Zindabad.” The atmosphere remained electric as jubilant party workers garlanded Kichloo, marking a significant moment for the party.
The rally traversed multiple localities and concluded with spirited slogans and celebrations. The National Conference secured three out of four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir, while the BJP claimed one seat, heralding the NC’s performance as a vindication of policies spearheaded by Omar Abdullah, and a stark rejection of actions taken on August 5, 2019, which revoked Article 370 and divided the state into Union Territories.
In his address to the crowd, Kichloo stated, “Today’s victory symbolizes our government’s robust policies. The BJP is known for its questionable tactics, such as horse-trading.” He accused the BJP of manipulating the electoral process, suggesting they lacked genuine support but resorted to unscrupulous methods to influence outcomes.
Kichloo claimed that some legislators broke their promises to support the NC and instead aligned themselves with the BJP. “We will identify those who backtracked after pledging their votes to us. The NC’s votes remained intact—there was no cross-voting. So where did the BJP’s extra four votes come from?” he questioned, challenging the legitimacy of their win.
He criticized the BJP for deploying money and coercion in the elections, stating, “Let those who invalidated their votes or helped the BJP have the courage to admit it. The people will soon know who sold their conscience.”
The outcome of this election reflects significant political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the fierce competition between the National Conference and BJP. Political analysts anticipate that the rising tensions between these major parties will shape the future landscape of the region as elections approach.
