Srinagar, May 29: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti on Wednesday condemned the FIR against the party chief Mehbooba Mufti, terming it as “open intimidation” by the authorities and asserted that it would not deter the party from speaking truth to power.
Speaking at a press conference here, Iltija said the actions of the administration would not silence their party from speaking truthfully. She criticised the FIR filed against her mother Mehbooba Mufti for alleged violation of the model code of conduct, labelling it as a clear act of intimidation.
“We refuse to bow down. We are committed to speaking truth and upholding democracy in the region,” she stated firmly.
Iltija, who is also the media advisor of PDP, alleged that just two hours before voting commenced in south Kashmir, hundreds of party workers and polling agents were arbitrarily detained by the police.
She claimed that this planned crackdown led to a significant decrease in voter turnout, particularly in PDP strongholds across Anantnag, due to fear instilled by night-time search operations.
“The motive behind suppressing voting in south Kashmir was to prevent Mehbooba Mufti from securing a parliamentary seat,” she said, adding, “Those who themselves violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) have no authority to lecture others about its sanctity.”
Regarding Mehbooba Mufti’s protest on polling day in the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency, Iltija explained that it aimed to highlight the unjust detention of PDP workers.
“When a former chief minister has to protest on the streets, what does it say about our democracy?” she asked. She also alleged that PDP activists and election agents were detained just before voting began, falsely labeling them as militant supporters.
“Police targeted our strongholds, picking up our workers and then calling them over ground workers (OGWs) of militants. This is a slander against our boys who work to uphold democracy,” she added.
The PDP leader claimed that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah praised the polling percentage while secretly working to reduce it. They tried to rig the elections in south Kashmir because they feared Mufti, she said.
Iltija demanded the immediate release of detained PDP workers and warned the administration against further interference. “You dare not touch our members. We will not allow democracy to be undermined,” she declared.
Earlier, police registered FIR against Mehbooba Mufti for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) after she held a protest on poll day with workers in the Anantnag district of south Kashmir against alleged detention of workers of the party.
