Cross-Voting Row Triggers Uproar in Jammu Kashmir Assembly

SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday witnessed noisy scenes as the controversy over alleged cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha elections resurfaced during Question Hour.

Tensions flared after Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary reignited the debate by accusing the BJP of “stealing four votes” in the Upper House polls. “Yesterday, you stole four votes. If I start speaking, no one will remain seated here. Let us allow a secret to remain a secret,” Choudhary said, prompting a commotion in the House.

National Conference (NC) legislators retaliated by shouting “vote chor” (vote stealers) slogans towards the treasury benches, leading to a brief disruption as members from both sides traded allegations.

Amid the uproar, Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone accused both NC and BJP of collusion, describing the episode as “match-fixing.”