• ‘Those who held top ministerial posts due to PDP left us abandoned’
• Party lodges complaint against alleged criminal intimidation by BJP leaders
Srinagar, Apr 30: “What was done on August 5, 2019, was wrong and whatever was snatched away from us must be returned with interest,” said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday.
Addressing a rally in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, she said the “massive” participation of people in her rallies is proof that PDP lives in people’s hearts and represents their aspirations. “The decision of 5th August 2019 is unacceptable to the people of J&K and whatever was snatched away from us must be returned with interest,” she said, adding, “PDP is the only party in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape that can provide a bulwark against the current assault being launched on multiple fronts to erode Jammu and Kashmir’s core identity.”
Mufti said that ongoing elections in Jammu and Kashmir are not for any post or any chair but these polls are to send a strong voice to the parliament that could represent the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Sending that voice to the parliament that could expose those actions by virtue of which Jammu and Kashmir is being plundered of its rich wealth, its resources, its jobs, its lands, and more importantly its unique identity,” she said.
The PDP president said, “Our poor party worker who, in spite of his financial constraints, is funding her election campaign. Those who got the top posts of ministers in the past due to PDP left me, but my workers remained by my side even in the midst of the most tumultuous times. During the longest period of my imprisonment among political leaders after Article 370, my supporters stood steadfast. Yet, upon my release, my family faced relentless harassment: my elderly mother was summoned by the ED, passports were seized, and even my father’s resting place was raided, and I was left without a home.”
Mehbooba appealed to the workers of the National Conference and Congress to “understand the gravity of the situation and support the PDP so that the people’s just voice could reach the parliament”.
She termed the present situation as “extremely worrisome” for the entire country as well as for Jammu and Kashmir in particular. “The government is snatching the possessions of poor people and giving them to a select few capitalists. This is lethal for people, and if we do not wake up now, it is going to be the end of imagination,” she said, adding, “The way Jammu and Kashmir’s core identity is being eroded; it is PDP alone that can provide a bulwark against the current tirade. The massive support is proof that PDP lives in people’s hearts and represents their aspirations,” the former CM said.
Meanwhile, the PDP has lodged a written complaint with RO Anantnag against alleged criminal intimidation by the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in Rajouri-Poonch asking them to vote for the Apni Party or face consequences like that of 1947.
Firdous Tak, former legislator and Member of the PDP’s Political Affairs Committee, addressed the complaint to the Returning Officer of 3-Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency (Deputy Commissioner Anantnag).
“The complaint highlights grave concerns about intimidation and threats targeting Pahari Muslims to influence their voting choices. Specifically, it cites instances where representatives of the BJP have openly threatened violence against Pahari Muslims, warning of repercussions similar to those of the 1947 partition if they do not vote for the candidate endorsed by the Sangh Parivar, namely Apni Party,” the party said.
The complaint includes video footage from a BJP meeting in the Mendhar area of Poonch, where a BJP leader is seen making threats of violence against Paharis to coerce them into voting for the Apni Party, under the threat of igniting communal tensions reminiscent of the 1947 partition, the PDP said.
Such tactics, the PDP said, not only violate the principles of free and fair elections but also undermine the democratic process by instilling fear and coercion among voters.
Tak urged immediate action to address the matter and ensure the integrity of the electoral process in the constituency. The complaint calls for a thorough investigation into the incidents, along with measures to guarantee the safety and security of all voters, especially those vulnerable to such intimidation tactics.
The PDP also announced its intention to lodge a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding these violations of electoral conduct.
