After violence, PDP wants Anantnag bypoll postponed

Denying that violence was a reflection of anger against the PDP for allying with the BJP, CM Mehbooba Mufti’s brother said the state govt had formally written to poll panel that elections could not be held in current climate

Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling party asked the Election Commission on Monday to postpone the April 12 Lok Sabha by-election in Anantnag after widespread violence during a similar poll in Srinagar left eight people dead and several injured.

Tassaduq Mufti, the brother of chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and Peoples Democratic Party candidate in Anantnag, told reporters that the state government had also formally written to the poll panel that elections could not be held in the current climate.

Tassaduq refused to comment on the opposition National Conference’s (NC) charges against the state government that it had failed in providing a safe environment for polls.

He also denied that violence in Kashmir was a reflection of anger against the PDP for allying with the BJP after the 2014 assembly election.

“After the alliance, Mehbooba Mufti won with a significant margin. We are all aware of that. Had it been the case, it would not have happened,” he said.

Reacting to the PDP candidate’s demand for postponement of the bypoll, NC leader Omar Abdullah said it was an “indictment” of the government headed by his sister.

“Tassaduq’s statement is an indictment of his sister @MehboobaMufti’s government and its abject failure. How can the BJP not see this (sic),” the former Jam mu and Kashmir chief minister posted on Twitter.

“EC is well within its powers to postpone or countermand Anantnag election but if so @MehboobaMufti must resign & Governor should take charge (sic),” he said.

Separatists have given a boycott call amid simmering anger among the local population after stone pelting and rioting repeatedly disrupted the polling process in Srinagar on Sunday that saw a paltry turnout of 7.14%, the lowest in almost three decades.

Experts say the violence and deaths indicate rising unrest in the strife-torn Valley.

AFP PHOTO Villagers carry the body of a youth at his funeral in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Monday. At least eight civilians were killed during police firing on Sunday.