Senior National Conference (NC) leader and former minister Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo received a rousing welcome from thousands of supporters in Kishtwar today after his recent victory in the Rajya Sabha elections. This significant event took place as thousands of enthusiastic supporters gathered to celebrate Kichloo’s win.
The crowd took to the streets in a grand victory rally that paraded through the main market and adjacent localities of Kishtwar. Supporters garlanded Kichloo as they shouted slogans of “NC Zindabad” and “Kichloo Sahab Zindabad” in joyous celebration.
News of Kichloo’s win marks a notable success for the National Conference, which secured three out of the four Rajya Sabha seats available from Jammu and Kashmir, while the BJP captured one seat. The NC interprets this triumph as a validation of its policies led by Omar Abdullah, viewing it as a collective rejection of the controversial decisions made on August 5, 2019, that resulted in the abrogation of Article 370 and the division of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.
Addressing the jubilant crowd, Kichloo highlighted the implications of this victory, stating, “Today’s victory is a victory of our Government’s policies. The BJP engages in horse-trading. They lacked the numbers needed, yet they stretched resources to sway votes in their favor.”
Kichloo’s response underscores the tensions surrounding the election process. He claimed that some legislators withdrew their commitments to support the NC, choosing instead to back the BJP. He expressed a determination to reveal those legislators who shifted allegiances.
“We will identify those who backtracked after pledging their votes to us. The NC’s votes remained intact — there was no cross-voting,” Kichloo remarked. He questioned the legitimacy of the BJP’s additional votes, stating, “where did the BJP’s four extra votes come from?”
In his speech, Kichloo accused the BJP of resorting to coercive measures, stating, “Let those who invalidated their votes or aided the BJP have the courage to admit it. The people will soon uncover who sold their conscience.”
The powerful turnout in Kishtwar reflects deep-rooted support for the National Conference and its leadership. As political dynamics shift in the region, Kichloo’s victory represents not only personal achievement but also a symbolic stand against decisions perceived negatively by many in Jammu and Kashmir.