Srinagar, April 29, KNT: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference President and Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone on Wednesday accused the BJP, National Conference, and Peoples Democratic Party of colluding in what he described as “match fixing” during Rajya Sabha elections.
Addressing the issue, Lone cited his own participation in the 2015 Rajya Sabha voting process, stating that although his party had not fielded a candidate, the ruling alliance at the time had requested them to appoint an agent of their choice.
“I remember in 2015 I cast my vote in Rajya Sabha. Our party did not have a candidate, but the ruling alliance requested us to have an agent of their choice,” Lone said.
He added that the appointed agent, who was not an MLA, verified his vote and that of his colleague, Advocate Bashir Ahmed Dar.
Lone questioned the conduct of both the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, expressing doubts over their claims of being unaware of election rules.
“It seems highly improbable that PDP or NC did not know the rules,” he said, emphasizing that appointing polling agents is a crucial procedural requirement in Rajya Sabha elections.
Referring to election rules recently highlighted by a journalist, Lone said the provisions leave little room for ambiguity.
What Are Rajya Sabha Elections and How Does Voting Work?
Rajya Sabha elections are held to elect members to the Upper House of Parliament from state legislatures. Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) vote using a system of proportional representation through the single transferable vote. Unlike general elections, voters (MLAs) rank candidates in order of preference rather than choosing just one. Political parties can appoint authorized agents to verify votes, and ballots are shown to these agents before being cast to ensure party discipline. A candidate needs a specific quota of votes, calculated based on the number of MLAs and seats available, to be elected.
“A party can appoint an agent, whether the party fields a candidate or not. The only time when you cannot appoint an agent is when the party does not want to appoint one,” he said.
He alleged that the failure of NC to insist on appointing agents and PDP’s decision not to appoint agents pointed towards a broader pattern.
“That NC did not insist on the appointment of agents, and PDP simply did not appoint agents, hints at a much bigger spread in match fixing,” he said.
Lone further claimed that information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) application by a journalist suggested that at least three parties—BJP, NC, and PDP—were involved in the alleged collusion.
He also alleged that the BJP could not have secured the Rajya Sabha seat without the support of NC and PDP.
Lone concluded his remarks by expressing concern over the implications of such practices for the electorate.
“Good luck to the people of Kashmir. Unfortunately, the joke is on them,” he said. [KNT]
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