Jammu, October 25, 2025 : Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma on Saturday said his victory in the Rajya Sabha elections was achieved despite Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s attempt to create a “Jammu versus Kashmir” divide.
Addressing party workers in Jammu after returning from Srinagar, Sharma termed the BJP’s success as “historic”, asserting that the mandate reflected the growing trust of legislators and people in the party’s vision under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The BJP won one of the four Rajya Sabha seats in the first such elections held in Jammu and Kashmir after its reorganization in 2019. The ruling National Conference (NC) bagged three seats. Sharma defeated NC’s Imran Nabi Dar by securing 32 votes against 22, while NC’s Gurwinder Singh Oberoi was also elected under the same notification with 31 votes.
“I did not offer anything to anyone. I only asked legislators to vote with their conscience. This time we got four extra votes — next time, forty more will support us,” Sharma said, amid cheers from party supporters.
He was given a grand welcome at Jammu Airport, followed by a victory procession to the BJP headquarters in Trikuta Nagar, where supporters raised slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai’.
Rejects Sajad Lone’s ‘Fixed Match’ Claim
Responding to People’s Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone’s allegation that the Rajya Sabha election was a “fixed match” between the NC and BJP, Sharma said:
“What he is saying now has no meaning. Why didn’t he vote? Abstaining from voting is undemocratic.”
He also accused Omar Abdullah of trying to pit regions against each other.
“He (Abdullah) tried to make it Jammu versus Kashmir, urging legislators to unite against the BJP. Yet, we won from Kashmir’s soil — this is the real change.”
Party’s Message and Future Outlook
Sharma dedicated his win to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party workers, reaffirming BJP’s commitment to “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”
“Kashmir is a changed place now. People move around Lal Chowk freely and click pictures without fear. We are confident of winning the upcoming Nagrota and Budgam bypolls,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma thanked the legislators who supported the BJP, saying:
“They have rejected the NC’s governance model and sent a clear message of discontent. We did not approach anyone; they voted by conscience.”
He too dismissed Lone’s “fixed match” charge, calling it an excuse to hide his own political isolation.
Internal Voices of Dissent
Meanwhile, BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal condemned what he described as “shameful horse-trading” during the Rajya Sabha elections.
“It is profoundly disheartening to witness horse-trading and defiance of party whips being glorified as political strategy. Such actions corrode democracy and degrade our political culture,” he said in a statement.
Sirwal termed the open boasting about cross-votes as a “shameful display of opportunism.”
