SRINAGAR, Oct 7: PDP leader Iltija Mufti expressed strong criticism on Monday regarding the decision to grant the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir the authority to nominate five members to the state assembly, labeling it as a blatant attempt to manipulate the outcome before votes are even counted. Mufti contended that this move constitutes “brazen pre-result rigging” of the electoral process, aimed at favoring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She highlighted that all five nominated members are either BJP affiliates or have close ties with the party, further reinforcing her accusation of deliberate political manipulation.
Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mufti wrote, “All of the five MLAs nominated by the LG are BJP members or associated with the party. Brazen pre-result rigging & shameful manipulation.” She emphasized that such actions reflect a disregard for the lessons of the past, specifically referencing the controversial 1987 elections in Jammu and Kashmir. According to her, those elections, which were widely believed to be rigged, pushed the region to the edge of political and social unrest. “Might as well have nominated all 90 members instead. Why even hold elections? 1987’s stolen election took J&K to the brink. Yet no lessons learnt?” she remarked, criticizing the ongoing trend of electoral malpractice.
When questioned about her party’s stance on forming an anti-BJP alliance, Mufti clarified that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will decide on any alliances only after the election results are announced. She dismissed ongoing speculations, reiterating that “PDP’s senior leadership will take a call on extending support to a secular front only once the results are out. This is our official stand.”
The counting of votes for the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is set to take place on Tuesday. The decision and actions leading up to this event are crucial as they will determine the political landscape and the future governance structure in the Union Territory.