NC Set to Sweep All Four RS Seats, Says Congress Chief Whip

SRINAGAR: Congress Chief Whip and MLA Bandipora, Nizamuddin Bhat, on Friday said that the National Conference (NC) will secure all four seats in the Rajya Sabha and that there is no question of cross-voting.

Bhat, while reacting to allegations of cross-voting, said that it is akin to casting aspersions on the integrity of MLAs.

He said there is no question of cross-voting as no member will be ready for it. “Parties have a defined vote. NC has its own members, while Congress, PDP, and independents stand with them,” he said, adding that with these numbers, there is clarity that NC will secure all four seats.

Bhat further said that the role of every MLA is important, including that of independents. “The votes of independents hold the key as their votes cannot be checked by anyone, while the votes of other recognised parties are to be shown to the authorised agent. Therefore, it is clear who voted in whose favour,” Bhat said.

He also said that despite calling itself a value-based party, the BJP has been openly claiming that it will win through horse-trading, which he termed a joke that questions the party’s integrity. “They should not get involved in such things,” he said.

Notably, 86 members voted in the Rajya Sabha elections today, with the majority of parties and independents openly supporting the National Conference, giving them an edge to emerge victorious on all four seats. Results will be declared later today. (KNO)