Legislators voted freely despite CM’s efforts to divide J&K: Sat Sharma

Jammu, Oct 25: Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Sat Pal Sharma, who secured the fourth Rajya Sabha seat in the Union Territory, Saturday said that the win came despite efforts by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to create a divide between the two regions.
Sharma returned from Kashmir to a reception by party workers and supporters at Jammu airport, followed by a procession to the Trikuta Nagar party office.
The BJP dismissed claims by People’s Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone that the election was predetermined between the National Conference and the BJP.
Sharma defeated NC candidate Imran Nabi Dar by receiving 32 votes against Dar’s 21 in the third notification. NC’s Gurwinder Singh Oberoi also won a seat with 31 votes.
Sharma told reporters that the party did not offer anything to legislators but asked them to vote according to their conscience. He said that the BJP received four votes in this instance and expected more support in future elections from legislators acting similarly.
He said the seat was won from Kashmir despite opposition attempts to unite legislators against the BJP.
Sharma dedicated the win to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party workers and said the party would continue its work under the policy framework of inclusive development and effort.
Regarding Sajad Gani Lone’s statement that seven NC votes were given to the BJP, Sharma said the accusation was irrelevant, questioning why Lone had not voted himself and pointing out that abstaining from voting was undemocratic. (KNO)