Mehbooba Mufti asks people to cast their votes

Anantnag, Apr 18:  Accompanied by hundreds of enthusiastic workers, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti filed nomination papers for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat as a Lok Sabha candidate on Thursday.

After paying obeisance at her father Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s mausoleum and seeking blessings at the shrine of Baba Naseeb-ud-Din Ghazi in Bijbehara, the PDP chief proceeded to Anantnag where she filed her nomination papers.

Following the submission of her nomination papers, Mehbooba found herself encircled by hundreds of fervent supporters, raising slogans in favour of the PDP.

Speaking to reporters, she said that these elections were not being fought for utility services or amenities.

“Today’s polls are not being contested for water, roads, or electricity, but for the restoration of our lost identity and dignity,” she said.

Mehbooba said that these elections were for reclaiming assets, power projects, and securing rights on jobs and land.

“Today it is not about PDP and NC, it is about our resources. From sand to lithium, they snatched everything from us. They are trying to turn us into bonded labourers, but we will not allow this to happen,” she said.  “After August 5, 2019, J&K has been turned into an open jail.”

Mehbooba urged the voters not to steer clear of polling stations.

“They tried to make people boycott polls in south Kashmir. Don’t boycott polls and expose the conspiracies of those who want to sabotage the elections and make people boycott the elections,” she appealed to the electorate.

Mehbooba asked the people to pile out of their homes and cast their ballots.

“Cast your votes for those candidates whom you think can represent you truly,” she said.