SRINAGAR: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of having the poll counting dates altered in Jammu and Kashmir for their own convenience.
Speaking to reporters, Mufti noted that the poll dates were also changed during the Lok Sabha elections in the Anantnag parliamentary constituency, emphasizing that whatever suits the BJP is implemented on the ground.
“What can we say about it? We saw this happen during the Lok Sabha elections when the dates were changed for nothing; they have the formula, and whatever BJP wants, they get done,” she stated.
Regarding the transfers in the police department ahead of the polls by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the former Chief Minister stated that these actions occurred under the “directions of the BJP and their proxy parties.” However, she expressed satisfaction that all the newly appointed officers were locals.
“I’m happy at least that all the officers are locals, and I hope that those involved in the elections will ensure a free and fair process. We must avoid a repeat of what happened in 1987, which led to bloodshed that hasn’t ceased to this day,” she remarked.
Commenting on the scrapping of the two-hour Namaz break in the Assam Assembly on Fridays, Mehbooba said: “The local Muslim MLAs did not oppose it, so what difference will it make if we speak up?”
On this occasion, senior Hurriyat (M) leader Syed Salim Geelani formally joined the PDP in the presence of the party chief. He clarified that he has no intention of contesting elections and wants to focus on serving the people.
“I’m not here for a mandate; my main focus is on serving the people, which I will do as part of the PDP. I was proud of where I was before, and I am proud of where I am today,” he said.
Geelani added that the PDP is the only party consistently raising its voice on issues affecting the people, particularly the Kashmir issue.
“Other parties talk about various issues, but the PDP specifically addresses those in jail, people facing rights violations, and most importantly, the Kashmir issue-this is what brought me here,” he explained.
He emphasized that Mehbooba Mufti has continued to uphold the values of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed by advocating for those facing hardships.
“Where we were for the last five years, we couldn’t talk about any issue. I felt that in the PDP, there are people who talk about Kashmir, elections, and people’s rights, and there is no better platform for this,” he said.
Geelani reiterated that his goal is to serve the people and advance the PDP’s agenda, which he said aligns with his own wishes and aspirations.
“Elections are not the sole purpose; the purpose is to serve the people. I didn’t join with the aim of contesting elections.”
Regarding Geelani’s joining, Mufti said that the party had requested him to contest elections from Srinagar, but he declined.
“He asked us to choose someone else. His views on the Kashmir issue and his vision for development align with what Mufti Mohammad Sayeed envisioned. For us, elections are a means to address the issues faced by the people,” she concluded. (Excelsior)
