Srinagar: As the campaigning for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat ended on Saturday, the National Conference accused the Jammu and Kashmir administration of bias, stating that it revoked permission for the party’s boat rally and roadshow in the interior area of Dal Lake on “flimsy reasons” to allow “a BJP-aligned proxy party” to campaign in the same location.
The party’s chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the NC applied for permission for a boat campaign rally and roadshow in Mir Behri Dal Lake interiors. “They first granted permission but then revoked it,” Saqid said.
The administration, however, said the Apni Party, led by Altaf Bukhari, had sought permission for a rally in the same location and date before the NC. It said the permission given to NC for the rally and roadshow was withdrawn to avoid a clash between the parties.
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In a post on X, Saqid said: “If you’re seeking evidence of bias toward us, look no further than this striking example. Permission granted to JKNC and its party candidate Ruhullah Mehdi for a boat rally and road show in Mir Behri Dal Lake interiors today was swiftly revoked in the middle of the night, citing flimsy reasons.”
“A BJP-aligned proxy party enjoys the privilege of doing so in the same location. This sequence of events, from permission to withdrawal, is truly shameful,” he said.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration in its order said, “In view of the potential law and order situation which may arise due to two political parties (JKNC and JKAP) campaigning simultaneously in the same area and as recommended by the District police Srinagar, the permission in favour of NC (which has applied for the permission later than the other party) for conducting Water Boat Rally and Roadshow from Moti Mohalla to Ranger Stop Siada Kadal, Srinagar is hereby withdrawn.”
Meanwhile, NC President Farooq Abdullah accused the administration of harassing his party workers and spreading fear among people so that the BJP could win elections.
“The police are calling NC workers then accusing them of working with Hurriyat and others. In reality, they are trying to create fear among you,” Abdullah said while addressing a public rally in the Hazratbal area of Srinagar city.
“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.
