SANJAY PANDITA
Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 25: In a surprising turn of events during the Rajya Sabha elections, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addressed the issue of cross-voting by coalition members, which he stated was not a significant concern for him.
However, the key question circulating in political circles revolves around the identities of six Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the coalition who either directly or indirectly contributed to the victory of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sat Pal Sharma for the fourth seat in the third notification.
Reports indicate that four coalition MLAs openly cross-voted in favor of Sat Pal Sharma, while two others deliberately invalidated their votes, indirectly aiding the BJP’s success. Speculation is rife about the identities of these six MLAs, with various names being mentioned in political discussions, though no verified information has been confirmed.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah revealed that he is aware of the MLAs who facilitated the BJP’s win. “I know exactly who helped the BJP secure the fourth seat,” he stated. He expressed disappointment, not over the act of cross-voting itself, but over the lack of transparency from these MLAs. “What concerns me is that these members attended our meetings, shared meals with us, and publicly pledged their support for our coalition, only to back the BJP for the fourth seat,” Abdullah remarked. He further noted that it would have been more respectable if these MLAs had openly declared their support for the BJP, as Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone did.
Chief Minister said the party had aimed for a clean sweep in the Rajya Sabha polls, but “betrayal” from certain quarters cost NC the fourth seat.
“Nobody should be disappointed with the 3-1 verdict. We tried for a 4-0. The real disappointment is the betrayal by some people, and everyone knows their names,” Omar said. He thanked political allies, especially the Congress, for standing by the NC.
“I thank all, including Congress, who supported us. We feel bad for those who betrayed us at the last moment,” he added.
This incident of cross-voting has sparked discussions about loyalty and political maneuvering within the coalition, raising questions about the unity and reliability of its members as the political landscape continues to evolve. |
