Kabeer Lone

I did not want to get into the NC or PDP cross voting for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha elections debate because it is built on a petty & lame argument, but I have one question for those pushing that narrative. If the authorised agents were NC’s own people, how does that ensure there was no cross voting, especially if the top leadership had authorised both the voters and the agents to secretly vote for BJP? Does anyone know who these agents authorized by NC exactly were? And since the agents were not from the opposition, can it decisively be said that NC did not cross vote and PDP did, merely because a random journalist relying on an RTI claims it is “unlikely” for NC to have cross voted? The National Conference leadership capitalising on this argument is not the only issue. The bigger problem is the people who are giving them a clean chit without a shred of proof. They are responsible for whitewashing a potential betrayal based on zero evidence. From what I can understand, even today, and even after that RTI response was used to build a narrative, there is no proof that PDP voted for the BJP, but there is also no proof that NC did not do so. A random journalist saying “it’s unlikely” may convince some, but it cannot fool those who think beyond political binaries.

First we have multiple agencies chasing citizens under one pretext or another. Then properties of locals are confiscated. Students protesting alleged misconduct are booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA), send to jails outside, ruining their lives and careers. A sitting MP is denied bail to visit his critically ill father and now a leading educational institute with a rich legacy of serving the underprivileged and producing scholars, doctors, engineers, and professionals is declared unlawful under stringent UAPA! Can the LG administration tell people of Kashmir clearly how long they will continue this policy of harassment and disempowerment? And can the elected Govt tell us how long they will let this happen?

I may not share his politics but Sajad Lone is a Kashur first! You may have become Dy CM by chance—don’t mistake that for stature! Stay within your limits! You are sitting there at the behest of Kashmir and the wrong choice made by my own people—who are you to question him? Who are you to question his accommodation or ask him to vacate? That decision lies with the MHA, the Lieutenant Governor and security agencies—not you! Mind it! And! Do mind it! You are living in a house you once couldn’t step into—I stand witness! Don’t forget where you came from! You may have gotten here by chance but don’t forget your place! This is about a man’s life—someone who lost his father and lives under the highest threat! Really sad that our own people hyped you up and put you on a pedestal!

I may not share his politics but Sajad Lone is a Kashur first! You may have become Dy CM by chance—don’t mistake that for stature! Stay within your limits! You are sitting there at the behest of Kashmir and the wrong choice made by my own people—who are you to question him? Who are you to question his accommodation or ask him to vacate? That decision lies with the MHA, the Lieutenant Governor and security agencies—not you! Mind it! And! Do mind it! You are living in a house you once couldn’t step into—I stand witness! Don’t forget where you came from! You may have gotten here by chance but don’t forget your place! This is about a man’s life—someone who lost his father and lives under the highest threat! Really sad that our own people hyped you up and put you on a pedestal!