Senior National Conference (NC) leader and former minister Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, who recently won a Rajya Sabha seat, received a hero’s welcome on his arrival in Kishtwar today.
Thousands of enthusiastic supporters gathered in the town and took out a grand victory rally through the main market and adjoining localities. Kichloo was profusely garlanded by jubilant workers and party functionaries amid loud chants of “NC Zindabad” and “Kichloo Sahab Zindabad.”
After passing through several localities, the rally concluded amid victory slogans and celebrations.
The National Conference had won three of the four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir, while the BJP bagged one. The NC described its performance as a triumph of Omar Abdullah-led party’s policies and a rejection of the August 5, 2019 decisions, which had led to the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile State into two Union Territories.
“Today’s victory is a victory of our Government’s policies. The BJP believes in horse-trading. They did not have the numbers, yet used all resources to influence votes,” Kichloo alleged while addressing the gathering.
He further claimed that some legislators reneged on their commitment to vote for the NC and instead supported the BJP.
“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 extra votes come from?” Kichloo questioned.
Accusing the BJP of using money and pressure tactics, he added,
“Let those who invalidated their votes or helped the BJP have the courage to admit it. The people will soon know who sold their conscience.”
