Senior National Conference (NC) leader and former minister Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo celebrated his recent Rajya Sabha win with a grand reception in Kishtwar today. Thousands of supporters gathered to honour him, transforming the streets into a vibrant display of festivity.
The warm reception for Kichloo took place shortly after he secured a seat in the Rajya Sabha, which marks a significant achievement for the NC. The jubilant crowd participated in a victory rally, traversing the main market and surrounding areas, chanting slogans like “NC Zindabad” and “Kichloo Sahab Zindabad.” Decorative garlands adorned Kichloo as he rode through the town amidst cheers.
The victory rally wound through numerous localities and culminated in a celebration filled with loud victory slogans. This win contributes to the National Conference’s success in securing three out of four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed one seat. Kichloo attributed their success to the policies led by Omar Abdullah, denouncing the BJP’s approach to securing votes.
In his address, Kichloo stated, “Today’s victory is a victory for our government’s policies. The BJP believes in horse-trading.” He accused the BJP of using underhanded tactics and questioned how the party obtained four additional votes, despite their alleged lack of support.
Kichloo emphasized the integrity of his party’s voting process, insisting that the NC’s votes remained intact without any cross-voting. He expressed clear frustrations regarding certain legislators who did not fulfil their commitment to the NC, choosing instead to support the BJP.
“We will identify those who backtracked after pledging their votes to us. The NC’s votes remained intact — there was no cross-voting,” Kichloo reaffirmed, highlighting his party’s discipline and unity during the electoral process.
As the rally concluded, Kichloo urged those who had altered their stance to come forward and face the public. He remarked, “Let those who invalidated their votes or helped the BJP have the courage to admit it. The people will soon know who sold their conscience.”
This victory for the National Conference plays a pivotal role in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, as it stands against the backdrop of significant changes that occurred following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Kichloo’s comments reflect a broader narrative of resistance against policies that many in the NC view as detrimental to the region.
As Kichloo savours this significant win, the outcomes signal a possible resurgence for the National Conference, amidst an ongoing rivalry with the BJP. The political dynamics within Jammu and Kashmir continue to shift, making the upcoming political strategies crucial for both parties.
