Senior National Conference (NC) leader and former minister Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo received an enthusiastic hero’s welcome in Kishtwar today after his recent victory in the Rajya Sabha elections. Thousands of supporters gathered in the town, turning out in droves to celebrate this significant political achievement.
During his arrival, Kichloo experienced a grand victory rally that wound through the main market and adjacent localities of Kishtwar. Party members and jubilant supporters garlanded him profusely while chanting slogans like “NC Zindabad” and “Kichloo Sahab Zindabad.” The atmosphere brimmed with excitement and support for Kichloo, showcasing the loyalty of his constituents.
The rally culminated after traversing several neighborhoods, marked by loud victory slogans and jubilant celebrations, highlighting the strong backing Kichloo has from his party and voters.
The National Conference showcased a remarkable performance in the Rajya Sabha elections, securing three out of four seats from Jammu and Kashmir, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won one seat. NC leaders celebrated this outcome as a testament to the effectiveness of policies advocated by Omar Abdullah’s leadership, positioning the result as a rejection of the controversial decisions made on August 5, 2019, which saw the abrogation of Article 370 and the division of the former state into two Union Territories.
“Today’s victory reflects the steadfastness of our government’s policies,” Kichloo remarked amid the throngs of supporters. He continued, “The BJP engages in horse trading. Despite lacking the necessary numbers, they employ resources to sway votes.” Such statements reflected Kichloo’s disbelief regarding the BJP’s electoral strategies amidst the recent elections.
In a pointed accusation, Kichloo alleged that some legislators violated their commitments by voting for the BJP instead of sticking to their alliance with the NC. “We will identify those who backtracked after pledging their votes to us. The NC’s votes remained intact—there was no cross-voting. So, where did the BJP’s four additional votes originate?” he challenged, stirring political discourse around the integrity of the vote.
Further criticizing the BJP, Kichloo asserted that the ruling party utilized financial incentives and coercive measures to secure votes, claiming, “Let those who invalidated their votes or aided the BJP have the courage to admit it. The people will soon discern who has sold their conscience.”
Poll analysts note that this significant victory for the NC may signal a pivotal shift in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, illustrating the electorate’s sentiments and a possible resurgence for regional parties against the BJP’s expanding influence.
