NC, BJP clash over vote theft claims in Legislative Assembly

Srinagar, Oct 27: The Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly Monday witnessed uproarious scenes over cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections, as legislators from the National Conference and the BJP traded barbs and slogans.
During Question Hour, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of stealing four votes in the recent Rajya Sabha elections. “Yesterday, you stole four votes. If I reveal the secrets, no one will remain seated here. Let us allow a secret to remain a secret,” Choudhary remarked.
His comments evoked a sharp response from BJP legislators, triggering a war of words between the two parties.
Amid the din in the House, NC legislators shouted “vote chor” (vote stealers) at their BJP counterparts.
Amid slogans and counter-slogans, Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone accused both NC and BJP of collusion. “It was match-fixing,” Lone alleged.
In an unprecedented instance of cross-voting, seven members who were expected to support National Conference candidates voted against the party—four by voting in favour of the BJP and three by intentionally cancelling their votes. (KNO)