In a dramatic political contest, the National Conference (NC) clinched three of the four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to secure one seat despite not having sufficient numbers. The elections, marred by cross-voting allegations and intense political drama, have triggered a fresh round of blame games between the two major parties.
Seat-Wise Results: NC Leads the Race
The NC’s Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan won the first seat, securing 58 votes, defeating BJP’s Ali Mohammad Mir, who received 28 votes. One vote was declared invalid.
On the second seat, Sajad Kitchloo (NC) emerged victorious with 57 votes, while BJP’s Rakesh Kumar managed 29 votes, with two ballots invalidated.
G.S. Oberoi, the NC treasurer, also known as Shammi Oberoi, captured the third seat with 31 votes—just above the required majority.
However, the fourth seat witnessed a twist. BJP president Sat Sharma won with 32 votes, defeating NC’s Imran Nabi Dar, who managed only 21 votes, far below the expected 28–29 votes.
Cross-Voting and Invalid Ballots Alter the Outcome
The NC was confident of sweeping all four seats, having the pledged support of 58 MLAs, including 41 NC, six Congress, seven Independents, three PDP, and one CPI(M). Despite this, the party secured only 51 votes for its last two candidates, suggesting cross-voting and intentional invalidation of ballots.
BJP’s unexpected win on the fourth seat clearly indicated cross-voting, vote cancellations, and what political analysts are calling strategic ballot manipulation.
NC and BJP Exchange Allegations Over ‘Horse Trading’
Following the results, Imran Nabi Dar (NC) accused the BJP of using unethical means to secure victory.
“The BJP had only 28 MLAs. How did they get 32 votes? It’s evident that horse trading took place. They have used all their resources to win this seat despite not having the numbers,” Dar claimed.
He added that those who cross-voted had betrayed their commitment and called upon them to admit their actions publicly.
Omar Abdullah Raises Questions Over BJP’s Extra Votes
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also voiced strong suspicions of manipulation.
“All of @JKNC_ votes remained intact across all four elections. There was no cross-voting from our MLAs. So, where did BJP’s four extra votes come from?” he questioned in a post on X.
Abdullah further demanded an explanation from MLAs who intentionally invalidated their votes, asking if they succumbed to pressure or inducements.
Sajad Lone Calls It a ‘Fixed Match’
People’s Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone termed the Rajya Sabha elections a “fixed match” between the NC and BJP.
“As predicted — fixed match. Axis of evil — NC and BJP. Thank God I abstained,” Lone posted on X.
He alleged that NC cast more votes than necessary for its third candidate, suggesting a pre-arranged deal and collusion between the two rival parties.
“Why did NC poll 31 votes for candidate three when only 28 or 29 were enough? This clearly indicates manipulation,” he asserted.
Celebrations and Political Drama at the SecretariatThe declaration of results turned the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar into a battleground of celebrations. NC and BJP workers gathered with party flags, chanting slogans and dancing as the results were announced.
Around 5 PM, NC supporters began celebrating their triple win, but moments later, BJP workers arrived jubilant after their surprise victory on the fourth seat. The atmosphere quickly transformed into a flag-waving spectacle between rival supporters.
Later, BJP leaders and workers shifted to the party headquarters in Jawahar Nagar, where Sat Sharma celebrated alongside senior leaders, including Sunil Sharma and other MLAs.
Leaders React to the Results
Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, jubilant after his victory, dedicated the win to the party’s alliance and leadership.
“This is the victory of NC, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. It shows the people’s rejection of the 2019 decision,” he said.
Sat Sharma (BJP) expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and J.P. Nadda, thanking voters who, according to him, “voted by conscience.”
“I appealed to all MLAs to vote for the nation and society. I thank the four MLAs who trusted my vision,” Sharma remarked.
Political Background of the Elected Members
Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan (NC)
A seasoned politician and four-time MLA, Ramzan, 75, hails from Handwara in Kupwara district. He first entered the Assembly in 1983 and served as a minister in Farooq Abdullah’s government in 1996. Despite setbacks in 2002, 2014, and 2024 elections, he remains a key NC figure.
JKNC senior leader Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan has been elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jammu Kashmir, winning by 58 votes.
— JKNC (@JKNC_) October 24, 2025
Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/oHKcq33H4M
Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo (NC)
A 60-year-old leader from Kishtwar, Kitchloo is the son of former social welfare minister Bashir Ahmad Kitchloo. He entered politics in 2002, winning the Kishtwar seat twice and later serving as an MLC in 2015.
JKNC leader Sajad Kichloo wins second Rajya Sabha seat in J&K.
— JKNC (@JKNC_) October 24, 2025
Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/ejsBib2IZv
G.S. (Shammi) Oberoi (NC)
A 56-year-old businessman and the NC’s treasurer, Oberoi is the second Sikh MP from J&K. His late father, Dharamveer Singh Oberoi, was a senior NC leader and a close associate of Omar Abdullah.
JKNC’s Shammi Oberoi Wins Third Rajya Sabha Seat.
— JKNC (@JKNC_) October 24, 2025
Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/otYlnjWSi5
Sat Sharma (BJP)
A 64-year-old Chartered Accountant, Sharma serves as the president of BJP’s J&K Unit. He previously headed the party between 2015 and 2018 and briefly served as a minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government. His victory is seen as a strategic win for the BJP in the region.
भाजपा जम्मू कश्मीर अध्यक्ष श्री @iamsatsharmaca ने आज विधानसभा सचिवालय, श्रीनगर में राज्यसभा सांसद के रूप में विजय का प्रमाण पत्र चुनाव अधिकारी से प्राप्त किया। pic.twitter.com/pZul3mcCjF
— BJP Jammu & Kashmir (@BJP4JnK) October 24, 2025
Election Overview and Voter Turnout
The Election Commission of India (ECI) had announced the biennial polls in September to fill four vacant Rajya Sabha seats. These had remained unoccupied since February 2021, following the retirement of Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Shamsher Singh, and Nazir Ahmed Laway.
Out of 88 eligible MLAs, 86 cast their votes between 9 AM and 4 PM, with counting completed by 5 PM at the Legislative Assembly Complex in Srinagar.
The Rajya Sabha elections 2025 have once again showcased the volatile and unpredictable nature of Jammu and Kashmir politics. While the National Conference reaffirmed its dominance by winning three seats, the BJP’s unexpected victory underscored the role of cross-voting and political maneuvering.
As accusations of horse trading and vote manipulation continue to fly, one thing remains clear — the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir is as dynamic and deeply divided as ever.
