National Conference alleges cross-voting and ballot tampering as BJP secures an unexpected Rajya Sabha seat; Assembly witnesses unprecedented uproar.
By: Javid Amin | 27 October 2025
The Flashpoint
High drama gripped the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday as National Conference (NC) legislators stormed the well of the House, shouting “Vote chor! Vote chor!”—accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of manipulating the recent Rajya Sabha elections through cross-voting and invalid ballots.
The storm erupted during Question Hour, when Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary rose to comment on the Rajya Sabha results, claiming that the BJP had “stolen four votes” to secure its fourth seat.
“The numbers don’t lie. BJP had 28 MLAs but got 32 votes—so who gave them the extras?” Choudhary declared, triggering chaos across the House.
As BJP members protested, Choudhary shot back, “Sarei raaz khul dunga—remain seated here.” The remark provoked a chorus of slogans from NC benches led by Tanvir Sadiq, who, along with other MLAs, accused the BJP of “vote theft” and “institutional manipulation.”
The Allegations
The uproar follows the recent Rajya Sabha election results, where the BJP’s Sat Paul Sharma clinched victory with 32 votes—four more than the party’s numerical strength in the 88-member Assembly.
NC leaders have alleged that the BJP’s win was made possible through cross-voting by non-NC legislators and the deliberate invalidation of alliance votes.
“Some MLAs broke their promise. Others invalidated their ballots to aid the BJP. The people deserve to know the truth,” said an NC whip outside the Assembly.
The National Conference has demanded a legislative probe or Judicial Commission inquiry to identify the lawmakers who defied their parties and to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
BJP leaders, however, dismissed the allegations as “baseless theatrics.” Senior BJP MLA R.S. Pathania countered that “The vote count was verified and sealed under Election Commission supervision. NC’s frustration is visible because their internal cracks cost them the seat.”
The Political Fallout
The slogan “Vote chor!”—originally popularized by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during national campaigns—has now been adopted by NC legislators in Srinagar, symbolizing broader opposition anger over what they call “electoral dishonesty and institutional compromise.”
Inside the House, the confrontation briefly halted proceedings. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather repeatedly called for calm and warned members against disrupting decorum:
“This House must debate, not disrupt. Allegations can be discussed, but not shouted across the floor.”
Despite his appeals, the chants continued, echoing through the Assembly’s marble corridors long after the session adjourned for the day.
What’s Next?
The controversy adds another layer to the growing turmoil within the opposition camp. The NC is already grappling with internal dissent after MPs Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and Mian Altaf Ahmad openly questioned Omar Abdullah’s leadership and demanded transparency on the cross-voting issue.
Analysts say the latest Assembly uproar could widen those divisions. “This isn’t just about one seat—it’s about perception,” noted a Srinagar-based political analyst. “The BJP’s ability to win beyond its strength signals cracks within opposition ranks that may have long-term consequences for alliance politics in J&K.”
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is expected to review objections filed by NC and Congress, though no official inquiry has been announced yet.
As the Autumn Session continues, both camps appear ready to turn the Assembly floor into a theatre of political accountability—one shouting “vote chor,” the other claiming “victory through strategy.”
Either way, the Rajya Sabha election that was meant to consolidate alliances has instead exposed fault lines running deep through Jammu & Kashmir’s political fabric.
