Both the National Conference (NC) and the BJP unequivocally dismissed accusations of a “fixed match” concerning the Rajya Sabha polls held on Saturday, October 25, 2025. NC President Farooq Abdullah highlighted that his party had actually declined a BJP offer for an uncontested outcome, opting instead for a proper electoral battle.
Abdullah specifically addressed and rejected claims made by Sajad Lone, the People’s Conference chief and MLA from Handwara, who had suggested the NC deliberately “gifted” seven votes to the BJP.
During the Rajya Sabha elections on Friday, October 24, the ruling National Conference secured three seats, while the BJP claimed one. These elections were particularly significant as they were the first of their kind in Jammu and Kashmir since its status changed to a Union Territory in 2019.
In a notable outcome, J&K BJP president Sat Sharma triumphed over NC candidate Imran Nabi Dar, securing 32 votes.
Responding to reporters, Abdullah challenged the “gifted votes” narrative, stating, “If we had truly ‘gifted’ votes, how did our fourth candidate manage to secure 21 votes? We made no such concession. The BJP had approached us suggesting a consensual arrangement where we would take three seats and they one, avoiding an election. We explicitly declined, insisting on a fair contest to be decided on the ground.”
Abdullah extended his appreciation to both the Congress and the PDP for their support towards the NC candidates during the Rajya Sabha polls. He also emphasized the unwavering unity among his party’s MLAs, asserting that the BJP was unable to sway even a single one.
He further elaborated, “Our party’s MLAs stood united; not one could be swayed. Despite certain media reports suggesting disunity, we remained strong. We are particularly grateful to Mehbooba Mufti ji’s party (PDP), the Congress party, and the independent MLAs, including those from Langate and Shopian, for their crucial support.”
When directly questioned about the PDP’s support, Abdullah confirmed, “Yes, the PDP supported us.” He reiterated his gratitude, saying, “I am thankful to them, I thank Mehbooba ji.”
Abdullah acknowledged his happiness over the NC’s three victories but expressed regret that their fourth candidate failed to win, attributing it to some MLAs “backtracking” on their commitments.
“Our candidate received 21 votes but ultimately couldn’t secure victory because certain individuals didn’t uphold their promises,” he noted. When pressed on whether this was a party miscalculation or a “betrayal,” Abdullah philosophically remarked, “Such events are not uncommon in an election.”
“Only God knows if it was betrayal or something else. Regardless, I am thankful that we secured three seats,” he stated, once again downplaying the “fixed match” allegations between the NC and BJP.
“Accusations were even leveled against our Prophet, and we are insignificant in comparison to him. Allegations are an ongoing reality, and it’s our duty to confront them,” the former Chief Minister of the erstwhile J&K state commented with resolve.
Meanwhile, Sunil Sharma, the Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, extended thanks to the seven legislators who “rejected” the NC and instead cast their votes for the BJP candidate.
Sharma remarked, “While their identities remain unknown to us, it is evident that these seven legislators have issued a clear warning by rejecting the NC government. We welcome them, as their support was instrumental in securing the seat for the BJP. It’s possible there are many more like them who are discontent with the current administration.”
He further asserted that the BJP had “no direct contact with any legislators but appealed to them to vote for the party as a rejection of the current government’s ‘anti-people’ policies.”
Sharma also echoed Abdullah’s sentiment, rejecting Lone’s accusation that the Rajya Sabha election was a “fixed match” orchestrated between the NC and BJP.
During a previous press conference, Sajad Lone had squarely blamed the NC for the BJP’s success, alleging, “You (NC) have unequivocally gifted seven members to the BJP. It was a fixed match.”
Lone passionately stated, “Today, we’ve caught them (NC) red-handed, in the lap of the BJP… I declare with authority that all the cross-voting originated from the NC.” He maintained that the Rajya Sabha results were not a consequence of “horse-trading” but rather an “understanding” between the parties.
Lone further asserted, “The NC had a secret pact with Delhi. The BJP’s actual strength is 70 votes, comprising 42 from the NC, not merely 32 (their 28 party MLAs plus four supporters).”
Meanwhile, Abdullah dismissed the claims that his party had not adequately prepared to win the fourth seat as mere “propaganda.”
He argued, “If we hadn’t prepared, how would we have secured 21 votes? This is a misunderstanding, pure propaganda. There is no truth to it.”
Regarding J&K Congress chief Tariq Hamid Karra’s reported statement expressing Congress’s satisfaction with not contesting the fourth seat and leaving it to the NC, Abdullah remarked that Karra “has the right to say anything.”
“We even offered them the Nagrota Assembly seat, where a by-election is currently underway, but they didn’t accept it. Why? You should ask them. I personally engaged with the Congress high command, and initially, they indicated they would contest at midnight,” he revealed. He concluded by expressing optimism for the NC candidate’s victory in that particular seat.
When asked about the assembly elections in Bihar, the NC president simply stated, “The BJP should lose there.”
Addressing inquiries about the NC’s election promise of 200 units of free electricity and the public “resentment” over smart meter installations, Abdullah clarified that J&K does not receive electricity without cost.
“How are we expected to fund that? I have consistently maintained that electricity is not free. Even during my tenure as Chief Minister in 1984, I stressed this point. We are currently spending thousands of crores of rupees that could otherwise be allocated to public welfare. Do you consider this? Do you consider the widespread power theft? If we are to safeguard this state and its unique identity, we must embrace austerity and endure these challenges. Funds do not simply appear from the sky. To preserve our freedom, we must confront these difficulties. Nothing, truly, is free,” he emphasized.