Mehbooba Mufti, the leader of the PDP, has raised concerns over the imposition of Section 144 in Pulwama district ahead of the upcoming voting for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat. She criticized the move, stating that it is unprecedented and has never occurred before in the region.
Mufti further alleged that members of her party are being detained, describing the situation as alarming. "PDP workers are being detained under this imposed Section 144," she asserted, highlighting the challenges her party is facing.
Taking aim at the Election Commission of India, Mufti questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process, suggesting parallels with the controversial 1987 elections. She accused the government of favoring certain groups and creating an environment of intimidation.
The PDP leader recounted an incident involving Azam Khan, a senior party member, who was reportedly detained for two days before being released. Such incidents, according to Mufti, demonstrate a concerning trend of harassment against her party members.
Mufti invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's commitment to democracy in Kashmir, warning against any attempts to manipulate elections. She emphasized the importance of free and fair elections and hinted at potential withdrawal if the integrity of the process is compromised.
The Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency is scheduled for polling in the sixth phase on May 25 as part of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Jammu and Kashmir, with a total of five Lok Sabha seats, is undergoing voting in five phases.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are being conducted in seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1, with the results set to be announced on June 4.
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