Srinagar – The political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a heated debate following the Rajya Sabha elections held on Friday, October 24, 2025, where the National Conference (NC) secured three seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed one. Allegations of "match-fixing" and cross-voting have surfaced, stirring controversy among political parties.

The NC's Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Sajad Kichloo, and Shammi Oberoi were elected to the Rajya Sabha, while the BJP's Sat Sharma secured the fourth seat. However, the BJP's victory, despite having fewer legislators in the assembly, has led to accusations of foul play. The BJP's Sat Sharma managed to secure 32 votes, exceeding the party's official strength of 28 in the assembly. This outcome has prompted questions about cross-voting, with fingers pointed at non-BJP legislators.

People's Conference chief Sajad Lone has alleged a "fixed match" between the NC and BJP, claiming that the NC "gifted" seven votes to the BJP. Lone, who abstained from voting, accused the NC of having a pact with Delhi, suggesting that the BJP's real tally included votes from the NC. He further claimed that the NC deliberately allocated extra votes to its third candidate, who was already secure, instead of using them for the fourth seat.

In response to these allegations, NC President Farooq Abdullah has vehemently denied any "fixed match" with the BJP. He stated that the NC had rejected an offer from the BJP to share seats and had preferred a contest. Abdullah also refuted Lone's charge that the NC had gifted votes to the BJP. He questioned how the party could have secured 21 votes for the fourth seat if they had not made adequate preparations. Abdullah downplayed the allegations, stating that allegations are common in politics and must be fought.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has acknowledged "betrayal" from certain MLAs but refrained from revealing their names. He questioned how the BJP managed to gain extra votes and accused some MLAs of breaking their promises to the NC. Abdullah has not disclosed the identities of the MLAs who allegedly cross-voted, stating that "almost everyone knows" who they are. He has challenged them to openly admit to supporting the BJP.

However, NC's Lok Sabha MP Ruhullah Mehdi has urged Omar Abdullah to reveal the names of the MLAs who cross-voted. Mehdi argued that the matter is not private but a public one, and if there has been a betrayal of the people's trust, the Chief Minister should name those responsible.

The BJP has welcomed Sat Sharma's victory, calling it a reflection of the party's steady presence in Jammu and Kashmir politics post-reorganization. BJP leaders have rejected allegations of a "fixed match" and have claimed that some MLAs voted for the party out of conscience.

The controversy surrounding the Rajya Sabha elections has exposed fault lines between the NC, Congress, and PDP, with parties blaming each other for the BJP's victory. The unexpected result has triggered a political storm, with accusations of cross-voting, tacit support, and strategic deals. The events following the Rajya Sabha elections underscore the complex and fluid political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir.