Omar Abdullah has leveled serious accusations against the BJP, alleging ‘horse-trading’ in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The National Conference (NC) will now contest all four available seats after its ally, the Congress, decided not to put forward a candidate. Abdullah stated that the BJP, with only 28 MLAs, requires 30 votes to win even one seat and suggested that any success they achieve would stem from illegitimate means such as ‘money power, muscle power, or the use of agencies.’ He linked this potential outcome to suspicions surrounding the BJP’s role in the Bihar elections.
The forthcoming elections are poised to be a litmus test for political loyalties, exposing which legislators are secretly aligned with the BJP. Abdullah warned that any MLA found to be abstaining or voting for the BJP would face public scrutiny. He pointed out that in the last year, support for the BJP has been limited to its own 18 MLAs, making these elections crucial for discerning genuine opposition. Initially, the NC had reserved a seat for the Congress, but the party declined to contest, despite having a viable opportunity for the fourth seat. Regarding his father, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah dismissed rumors of a denied mandate, explaining that his father chose to withdraw for health reasons, acknowledging his stature as a prominent national leader.