NC, PDP Accuses J&K Admin of Harassing Workers

SRINAGAR: National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday accused the Jammu and Kashmir administration of harassing his party workers and spreading fear among people so that the BJP could win elections.

"The police are calling elders and youths and then telling them they are with Hurriyat and others. In reality, they are trying to create fear among you," Abdullah said addressing a public rally in the Hazratbal area of the city here.

The National Conference (NC) president asked the people to fear only God.

"We do not have to fear them as tomorrow they will be under your feet, their pride will go away. I want to tell LG (J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj

Sinha) to stop harassing people. If you think that by using police to harass our people, you (BJP) will win elections, then you will lose the elections by such things," he added.

The former chief minister said the BJP would lose the elections in the entire country.

"Not only in J-K, but you will lose polls in the entire India, I can give you in writing. Then, you will have to pack your bags and return to where you came from," Abdullah said as he again asked the LG to stop using the police to harass NC workers.

"God is watching how you (BJP) are using your agencies to try to suppress us in the entire country, but you do not know His power is very strong. His power drowned Pharaon, so He can drown your power too," he added.

Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also accused the administration of trying to "fix" the Lok Sabha elections by "selectively targeting and harassing" her party and its supporters.

Addressing a press conference at the PDP headquarters here, Mufti also alleged that the authorities have imposed restrictions for 48 hours from 6:30 pm on Saturday under Section 144 in Pulwama, which is part of the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat going to polls on Monday.

"From 6:30 pm today, Section 144 has been imposed in Pulwama district which is unprecedented. It has not happened before that restrictions are imposed where the elections are to take place and that too till the time of the conclusion of the elections," she said.

The PDP president said they were trying to "harass" the people so that they do not come out to vote.

"Preparations are being made to do fraud in the elections. The election is being fixed," she added.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also alleged that her party's active workers, who have been organising its meetings, have been detained ahead of the polling.

"This is not restricted to Pulwama only. Some days back, there was an attack in Surankote (in Poonch district of Jammu). After that, 50-60 of our workers have been detained and a strange atmosphere is being created," said Mufti.

"If the Election Commission of India has to repeat 1987 elections, then why this drama of elections? If they have to create Ikhwan (government gunmen) or the party of Ikhwans, their proxies whom they are supporting then they should say that," she added.

Mufti said the administration is not yet openly coming out in support of their proxies as they are waiting for the elections to conclude in two seats in Srinagar and Baramulla.

"After that, they will declare their support in Rajouri-Poonch (part of Anantnag-Rajouri seat). The election was delayed there only because of their party, the party of suitedbooted ikhwans. They have created political ikhwans whom they support fully, the whole government machinery supports them," Mufti said.