Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has levelled allegations on government, saying “political ikhwan is being thrusting in Jammu and Kashmir, and 1987 like poll rigging is being repeated”.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said it is surprising that Sec 143 has been imposed in district Pulwama ahead of Lok Sabha elections in the segment which is being held on May 13.
“It is unprecedented that Sec 143 has been imposed in district Pulwama. From past few days our party workers who have participated actively in poll campaigning are being summoned to police stations and subsequently detained. Besides our 60 workers have been arrested in Poonch district after militants ambushed IAF convoy in Sanai Top. We want to ask Election Commission of India (ECI) if you want to rig elections like rigged in 1987 then what for this whole drama is being created,” Mehbooba Mufti said.
She alleged that JK administration is trying to revive “Ikhwan” in Jammu and Kashmir to muzzle people’s voice in the region. “They (government) have constituted sooted-booted ikhwan. They have formed political ikhwan this time to throttle the voice of hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
The PDP chief who is herself contesting Lok Sabha elections from southern Anantnag-Rajouri seat alleged that PDP workers are selectively being targeted. She appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha if government is willing to do this, then what for this election drama was staged. “Each and every institution of Government of India is being used to help proxies of BJP in Jammu and Kashmir with an aim to throttle the real voice of J&K,” she alleged.
She said abundant graveyards have come into being after election rigging took place in 1987. She also said that due to pro-people approach of Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee the confidence of Kashmir’s on vote chit was restored but the situation is being repeated today.
“You have jailed Kashmiri youth like Waheed Parra, but we are making them to be ready to reach Parliament. You have stated militancy is over in Jammu and Kashmir, if it is a reality, then what for Section 143 being imposed,” Mehbooba stated. (KNS)
