The political temperature in Jammu and Kashmir rose sharply on Friday as the National Conference (NC) failed to secure a clean sweep in the Rajya Sabha elections. Despite having the numbers on paper, the party lost one crucial seat, triggering a wave of anger, disbelief, and allegations of betrayal from its top leadership.
Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, minced no words when he declared that his party had been “betrayed by those who pretended to be friends.” His tone reflected both frustration and shock as he hinted at cross-voting and secret deals that might have cost the NC its fourth Rajya Sabha seat.
Farooq Abdullah, the veteran leader and NC patriarch, called the loss a “painful lesson” and urged the party to introspect. He said the defeat was not just about numbers but about loyalty, unity, and the integrity of alliances in a politically fragile region like Jammu and Kashmir.
What Went Wrong for the National Conference
The Rajya Sabha election in Jammu and Kashmir was the first of its kind after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, and the NC entered the contest with confidence. The party expected to secure all four seats with the backing of its allies and friendly independent legislators.
However, when the results were announced, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged with one seat, while the NC had to settle for three. That single loss, though numerically small, carried massive political weight. The BJP reportedly secured 32 votes, even though it had only 28 MLAs — a clear sign that a few legislators from outside its camp had voted in its favor.
Insiders claim that at least three votes that were supposed to go to the NC candidate ended up supporting the BJP, a development that shocked the party’s high command. Omar Abdullah expressed disbelief, saying, “It would have been better if they had openly supported the BJP instead of pretending to stand with us.”
The Betrayal Allegations
Imran Nabi Dar, the NC candidate who lost the fourth seat, came out with a heartfelt statement, accusing certain MLAs of “backstabbing.” According to him, some lawmakers had assured full support but voted differently during the secret ballot.
“I trusted them. They looked me in the eye and promised their vote, but when the results came out, I realized the knife was already in my back,” Dar said.
The NC leadership has since called for an internal review of voting patterns to identify those responsible. Senior leaders within the party believe this was not an isolated case of individual defection but a coordinated act of political sabotage.
Meanwhile, the BJP has dismissed the NC’s allegations as “excuses of a sore loser.” A senior BJP functionary told local media that the result reflected a shift in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. “The NC is no longer the unchallenged power it used to be. Legislators are voting based on development and national interest, not emotional blackmail,” the BJP leader said.
Political Shockwaves Across Jammu and Kashmir
This loss has come at a time when the National Conference has been attempting to rebuild its political narrative and strengthen its base ahead of the much-anticipated assembly elections. The defeat has exposed the cracks within its alliance and raised serious questions about trust among regional parties.
Political observers in Srinagar say the loss will have psychological consequences far greater than numerical ones. The NC’s image as a disciplined, united party has taken a hit, and the leadership now faces the difficult task of re-establishing faith among its ranks.
For the BJP, this victory is symbolic. Even though it secured only one seat, it managed to breach what was considered the NC’s stronghold. It sent a loud message that the saffron party is capable of influencing the political balance even in regions where it lacks a direct majority.
The Fallout and What Lies Ahead
Omar Abdullah has announced that the NC will conduct a “thorough introspection” to understand how such betrayal happened. “We will not name anyone right now, but we will find out the truth,” he said, emphasizing that the party will take disciplinary action if any MLA is found guilty of cross-voting.
Farooq Abdullah, trying to strike a note of resilience, told supporters not to lose heart. “Every setback teaches us a lesson. This is not the end of the story; it’s a reminder that politics is about trust, and trust must be earned every single day,” he said.
Political experts suggest that this incident could force the NC to rethink its alliances, especially with smaller parties that have shown signs of drifting away. The party may also choose to tighten its internal decision-making and strengthen the loyalty of its members through stricter organizational control.
Meanwhile, the BJP is expected to capitalize on the narrative of “NC’s weakness.” Analysts predict that the ruling party at the Centre will use this win to showcase growing support for its agenda in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly among regional leaders who are no longer afraid to defy the old order.
Conclusion
The Rajya Sabha result may look like a routine political outcome, but in reality, it has exposed deeper fissures in Jammu and Kashmir’s political fabric. The National Conference, once the region’s dominant force, now faces one of its most testing moments in recent years.
As Omar and Farooq Abdullah try to contain the fallout, one question lingers in the political air of Srinagar: if betrayal can strike at the heart of a century-old party like the NC, who can truly be trusted in the new politics of Jammu and Kashmir?
For now, the answer seems as uncertain as the future of alliances that continue to shape this volatile region.