The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is at the center of a fresh controversy over alleged 'extra votes' in the Rajya Sabha elections from Jammu and Kashmir. The National Conference (NC) has cited Right to Information (RTI) data to claim that the BJP used additional votes beyond its legislative strength, while the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has rebutted these allegations.
Background of the Controversy
The dispute stems from the October 2025 Rajya Sabha elections, which were the first such elections from the Union Territory (UT) in nearly a decade. The elections ended in a 3–1 result in favor of the NC, but the BJP's performance has now come under scrutiny.
NC's Allegations Based on RTI
The NC has released RTI data that it claims shows discrepancies in the vote count. According to the party, the BJP secured more votes than its actual number of legislators in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The NC argues that this indicates manipulation or the use of unaccounted votes, undermining the electoral process.
PDP's Rebuttal
The PDP, however, has dismissed the NC's claims as baseless. In a statement, the PDP said that the RTI data has been misinterpreted and that the BJP's votes were legitimate. The party accused the NC of trying to create a controversy to divert attention from its own electoral shortcomings.
Political Reactions
The issue has sparked a political firestorm in the UT. The BJP has denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations a smear campaign. Meanwhile, other political parties have called for a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
The Election Commission of India has not yet commented on the allegations but is expected to review the RTI findings. The controversy adds to the tense political climate in Jammu and Kashmir, where elections are often closely contested.
