Mehbooba Mufti Accuses Election Commission of India of Bias and Lack of Neutrality
Mehbooba Mufti Alleges BJP's Harmful Impact on Democratic Institutions and Media
04-07-2023 : In a recent video interview, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti made strong allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of lacking impartiality and neutrality. She further criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly undermining democratic institutions, including the media. Mehbooba Mufti claimed that central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are being used by the government to target Opposition leaders, adding that these agencies are not neutral in their actions.
She specifically highlighted the political developments in Maharashtra, where the BJP conducted a “surgical strike and illegal strike” to form a government with the support of the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs. Mehbooba Mufti accused the BJP of using government agencies as alliance partners to browbeat and threaten the Opposition, leading to the breaking of parties and the formation of new governments in states.
The PDP leader also expressed concern about the deterioration of media freedom in the country, alleging that the media has been “totally decimated” by the ruling party. She further accused the BJP of employing money power to break opposition parties and manipulate the electoral process, despite making claims about fighting corruption.
Mehbooba Mufti raised serious objections to the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that it was a grave violation of the Constitution. She pointed out that the removal of Article 370 required the recommendation of the constituent assembly, which no longer existed. The former Chief Minister argued that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir served as a testing ground for the throttling of democracy, and now similar experiments are being applied throughout the country.
Regarding elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti accused the government of selectively prioritizing certain polls while avoiding assembly elections in the region. She alleged that the BJP feared imminent defeat in assembly elections and was intentionally postponing them. The PDP leader also criticized the BJP’s statements about appointing a Hindu Chief Minister in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that the focus should be on merit and not religion.
