Centre 'sabotaging' chances of non-BJP parties in DDC polls: Mehbooba
The District Development Council (DDC) polls in Jammu and Kashmir are round the corner, but the local parties are not happy with the way things are going as they accused the police and BJP of hindering free movement of their leaders, including Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti.
The District Development Council (DDC) polls in Jammu and Kashmir are round the corner, but the local parties are not happy with the way things are going. They have accused the police and the BJP of hindering free movement of their leaders, including Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti.
Major political parties in the Valley said they do not have a level playing field, accusing the administration of locking up their candidates and not allowing them to campaign.
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Mufti even accused the Centre of “sabotaging” the participation of political parties in the DDC polls.
“GOI sabotaging participation of non-BJP parties in DDC polls. PDP’s Bashir Ahmed despite having adequate security has been detained at Pahalgam on the pretext of security. Today is the last day for filing nominations & have spoken to DC Anantnag for his release @manojsinha_,” the PDP chief tweeted.
The police said the candidates were being provided collective security.
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Earlier in the day, Mufti was stopped from visiting Rambiara Nalla. “This is their warped idea of Naya Kashmir. Sand mafia is operating in broad daylight, yet we are expected to remain quiet.”
The PDP chief claimed Rambiara Nalla is the site of illegal sand mining. Taking to Twitter, Mufti lashed out at the Centre, saying while Jammu and Kashmir’s resources are being plundered, the government of India has “nothing but contempt for us”.
Mufti was recently released from a year-long detention after Article 370 was scrapped. She then joined an alliance of regional parties called Peoples’ Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). Apart from PDP, National Conference, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference and Communkst Party of India (M) are some of its other constituents. The alliance is fighting the DDC polls in Jammu and Kashmir as one unit with support from the Congress.