SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Saturday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had approached his party with a proposal for a deal over the fourth Rajya Sabha seat from Jammu and Kashmir — an offer the NC, he said, firmly rejected.
Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha, Dr. Abdullah dismissed allegations that the NC had “gifted” votes to the BJP.
“There is absolutely no question of gifting seven votes to the BJP. If that were true, how did our candidate manage to secure 21 votes?” Abdullah said, adding that the NC chose to contest the fourth seat independently rather than enter into any understanding.
He also expressed gratitude to the Congress, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), and independent legislators for backing NC candidates during the elections.
However, Dr. Abdullah’s remarks drew a sharp reaction from People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to question the nature of NC’s political dealings.
“Dr. Farooq sahib has claimed that BJP offered them a deal for three Rajya Sabha seats. That means a dialogue mechanism exists between the two parties. That means they had a dialogue about Rajya Sabha,” Lone wrote.
He further questioned whether the NC had informed its allies about this alleged communication with the BJP, adding pointedly.
“Isn’t that what we have been saying all along. Fixed match.”
The exchange has once again stirred political debate in Jammu and Kashmir, with rival parties trading accusations of backchannel understanding amid claims of opposition unity.
(Inputs from KNC)
