Srinagar, October 25, 2025 : The National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday dismissed allegations that the recent Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir were a “fixed match.”
NC president Farooq Abdullah said his party had rejected a BJP offer for an uncontested arrangement and instead opted for a democratic contest. He denied People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone’s accusation that the NC “gifted seven votes” to the BJP.
The ruling NC secured three seats, while the BJP won one — its first since J&K became a Union Territory in 2019. BJP’s Sat Sharma defeated NC’s Imran Nabi Dar by polling 32 votes.
“Had we gifted votes, how did our fourth candidate still get 21 votes?” Abdullah asked. “They (BJP) had proposed that we take three seats and they take one, but we refused. We said — let there be a contest and let the ground decide.”
Abdullah thanked the Congress and the PDP for supporting NC candidates, saying the party’s unity had thwarted BJP’s alleged efforts to break MLAs.
“All our MLAs remained united. Not even one broke away. I am thankful to Mehbooba Ji’s PDP, the Congress, and independents from Langate and Shopian for their support,” he said.
While expressing happiness over winning three seats, Abdullah called it “regretful” that the NC’s fourth candidate could not win despite securing 21 votes.
“Some people did not keep the promises they made. Such things happen in elections,” he remarked, adding that allegations of a “fixed match” were unfounded.
“Even our Prophet faced allegations — who are we in comparison? We will continue to face and fight such falsehoods,” he said.
BJP Welcomes Cross-Voters, Rejects ‘Deal’ Claim
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP was grateful to the seven legislators who voted in its favor, calling their decision a “rejection of the NC government’s policies.”
“We don’t know who they are, but they have sent a strong message to the government. The BJP did not approach anyone; we only appealed for votes against anti-people policies,” Sharma stated.
He also rejected Sajad Lone’s “fixed match” allegation, asserting that the BJP’s win was purely “democratic.”
Lone’s Allegations and Counterclaims
On Friday, Sajad Lone had accused the NC of “betraying” the opposition and “sitting in the BJP’s lap.”
“They clearly gifted seven members to the BJP. It was a fixed match — a pact with Delhi,” Lone alleged, claiming that BJP’s “real tally” was “70, including 42 from the NC.”
‘Propaganda and Misunderstanding’: Farooq Abdullah
Abdullah termed these allegations “propaganda.”
“Had we not prepared, how did our fourth candidate secure 21 votes? This is misinformation,” he said.
Responding to J&K Congress chief Tariq Hamid Karra’s remarks that Congress was “happy not contesting the fourth seat,” Abdullah said,
“He has every right to express his opinion. We even offered Congress the Nagrota Assembly seat — they declined. You may ask them why.”
On national politics, Abdullah said the BJP “should lose” in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
He also addressed public concern over NC’s promise of 200 free electricity units and the resentment over smart meters.
“Nothing comes free. We pay thousands of crores for electricity which could have gone to public welfare. Power thefts are hurting us. To protect J&K’s identity and freedom, we must practice austerity and responsibility,” he asserted.
