Srinagar, Nov 28: Former legislator and senior People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mohammad Khurshid Alam on Thursday criticised the ruling National Conference (NC) for issuing a breach of privilege notice against PDP MLA Waheed ur Rahman Parra, terming the move as “arbitrary” and a “deliberate attempt to suppress the opposition’s voice”.
In a statement issued here, Alam accused the NC-led government of betraying the trust of the people who had voted them into power, expecting representation and transparency in the assembly. “By issuing this notice, the NC has taken a U-turn on its election promises. What message does it want to send by harassing an MLA for raising the concerns of the people in the house? Does the NC consider it a crime to speak up for the people?” he asked.
The PDP leader further accused the ruling party of behaving like a totalitarian regime. “Instead of upholding democratic values, NC seems determined to silence any dissenting voices. The PDP, despite its limited presence in the assembly, remains committed to speaking truth to power and representing the voiceless. These oppressive tactics will fail, just as similar measures did in the past,” he said.
Alam said that Parra, in the assembly, does not just represent his constituency or the PDP, but the people of Kashmir at large, who have been facing immense distress and hardship. “In Parra, they have found a voice. Silencing that voice is nothing short of criminal,” he said.
