Srinagar, May 11 (NVI): Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Monday alleged that the National Conference and PDP had facilitated the BJP’s victory in the recent Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, terming the outcome a “fixed match.”
Addressing a press conference here, Lone claimed that both parties together “gifted” a Rajya Sabha seat to the BJP by failing to ensure proper monitoring during the polling process.
Referring to an RTI response, Lone said the PDP had not appointed a polling agent during the election. He said polling agents play a crucial role under anti-defection provisions by verifying and monitoring voting by party legislators.
“The RTI response revealed that PDP had not appointed a polling agent, which meant their legislators were free to vote without supervision,” he alleged.
Lone also questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his remarks on the matter, asking how the government was unaware of the issue until the RTI disclosure surfaced.
“Your Speaker, Assembly staff and administration were functioning under your government. Was the Chief Minister not aware that PDP had not appointed an agent, and why was no objection raised?” Lone asked.
He alleged that while one party failed to appoint an agent, the other did not object, ultimately benefiting the BJP in the Rajya Sabha contest.
The Peoples Conference leader further claimed that the 2024 Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were fought on an anti-BJP plank, but the subsequent Rajya Sabha outcome contradicted that political narrative.
Lone also said his party had earlier offered support if the Rajya Sabha seat was allotted to Congress, but alleged that the NC and PDP “chose a different path.”
Raising another issue during the press conference, Lone alleged that between 22,000 and 24,000 government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir had been outsourced.
“Nearly Rs 1,000 crore are being paid to outsourcing companies. Whenever the issue is raised, confusion is created instead of clarity,” he claimed.
He urged the media and political parties to explain the circumstances surrounding the Rajya Sabha election outcome, saying the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserved answers.(NVI)
