Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Oct 25: National Conference (NC) president, Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday claimed the party turned down the Bharatiya Janata Party’s offer for a deal on the fourth seat of Rajya Sabha elections, held on Friday.
The NC chief, speaking to the media persons at the party headquarters, Nawa-e-Subah here, said, “The BJP approached us and asked to leave the fourth (Rajya Sabha) seat for them and contest only three seats.”
However, the offer was rejected as the NC decided to contest all four seats, he added.
Responding to the allegations of giving 7 votes to the BJP, Dr Abdullah said, “If that is the case, then how was our candidate able to get 21 votes?” he said, terming the allegations as propaganda and baseless.
Meanwhile, the NC chief thanked all parties, including the Congress, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and other independents for supporting NC candidates in the Rajya Sabha elections yesterday.
“Yes, there was support from the PDP. I am thankful to Mehbooba Mufti,” he said.
Three NC candidates won Rajya Sabha elections, while the BJP secured one seat unexpectedly by defeating the NC candidate.
Meanwhile, Dr Farooq said he had personally talked to the Congress High Command regarding the seat sharing. “They informed their decision of not contesting the elections in the middle of the night,” he said.
On the installation of smart meters, Dr Abdullah said he doesn’t want to defend anything. “Wherefrom are you going to pay for everything? I have always said power is not free, even when I was Chief Minister in 1984. I have been repeatedly saying it. We have been spending hundreds of crores on roads and other things. If we have to save our identity and status, then we will have to make sacrifices,” he said.
