PDP president Mehbooba Mufti accused the BJP of resorting to “scaremongering” along communal lines after allegedly facing setbacks in the initial phases of the Lok Sabha polls. Campaigning for PDP candidate Waheed Para in Srinagar, Mufti asserted that BJP’s divisive tactics, including Hindu-Muslim rhetoric and controversial statements, have failed to sway voters.
“Whatever is happening in the country, it is clear that the BJP has lost badly in the first three phases of the elections so far. The Hindu-Muslim divide, mangalsutra and buffalo politics is not working… People are more receptive to 30 lakh jobs, 50 per cent reservation for women, LPG cylinder for Rs 450 and MSP for farmers, which the Congress has promised,” Mufti said while talking to media.
“The BJP wants to get votes by playing communal politics… If this government gets another term, they will finish off the Constitution. People will lose the right to (free) speech and reservation will also be done away with,” she added.
Mufti criticized the police’s denial of campaign permissions to opposition leaders, citing instances involving Omar Abdullah in Baramulla and herself in Tral. She alleged biased policing aimed at benefiting BJP’s “proxy candidates” and urged for a neutral administration.
Commenting on the surge in encounters, particularly in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Mufti questioned the government’s motives, alleging efforts to impede her parliamentary bid and discourage voter turnout through security operations.
“The BJP government is trying its best to stop Mehbooba Mufti from going to the Parliament. The encounters are happening in this area only… So that there is an election boycott, so that people do not come out (to vote). They are claiming that militancy has ended. How have these encounters started suddenly?” she asked.
