Kashmir Turned into Open Jail: Mehbooba Mufti

Mehbooba Mufti (photo: KL)

Asif Iqbal | April 17, 2024 | 11:46 AM IST | Jammu Kashmir, Kashmir, Politics | Follow on Google News

Kashmir Turned into Open Jail: Mehbooba Mufti

Kashmir Turned into Open Jail: Mehbooba Mufti

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) kicked off its election campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir with an energetic road show from Tahab Crossing, Circular Road Pulwama to Sangam, Anantnag on Tuesday.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and the party’s youth president, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, led the rally, attracting hundreds of enthusiastic participants, mainly youth and PDP supporters. During the event, Mufti offered condolences to the families affected by the recent Batwara Srinagar boat capsizing incident.

She highlighted Pulwama’s historical support as the campaign’s starting point and criticized the current administration for allegedly turning the union territory into an “open jail” under the BJP-led LG regime. Mufti also spoke against the shooting of a tourist guide in Shopian, calling it unfortunate, and questioned the mass arrests of youth under Public Safety Act (PSA) charges as disproportionate.

The PDP’s election strategy was unveiled, with Mufti contesting from the newly-designed Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Para from Srinagar-Pulwama, and Fayaz Ahmad Mir as the candidate from the north Kashmir constituency. This move to contest independently comes after a public fallout with the National Conference, despite their previous alliance in the INDIA coalition.

The upcoming polls, starting on April 19, will feature prominent candidates such as former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and veteran National Conference leader Mian Altaf. With Jammu and Kashmir transitioning to a Union territory, the electoral landscape has seen significant changes, including the redrawing of constituencies like Anantnag to achieve representation parity between Kashmir and Jammu divisions.

Mufti’s influence in south Kashmir remains crucial for the PDP’s electoral success, having previously secured victories in 2004 and 2014. South Kashmir’s support was instrumental in the party’s 2014 assembly election win. The Anantnag constituency, resulting from the delimitation, will vote on May 7, reflecting the changing political dynamics in the region.

Political analysts expect a competitive electoral battle, as parties strive to strengthen their traditional support bases amidst evolving demographics and geopolitical shifts.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.