PDP very much popular among people: Mehbooba Mufti

Kupwara, May 17: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said that  her party is  still very much popular among people despite a heavy loss caused to it.

She said that because of the pro-people measures PDP was living in the hearts of people across the length and breadth of Kashmir.

Mehbooba Mufti was talking to media in Watergam area of Baramulla after addressing party workers.

She said that attempts were being made to create the 1987 like situation which according to Mehbooba could prove detrimental. "If rigging had not  happened in 1987, there would not have been any violence. Youth have high hopes with this election so betraying their trust can have dire consequences," Mehbooba said.

To a question, Mehbooba said  that Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) has understood the fragility of time. She said that centre should lift ban on Jamaat-e-Islami so that they can take part in the democratic process as yearned by their panel head recently.

"Jamaat-e-Islami would not have distanced itself from elections, had there been no rigging in 1987 elections. Even there would not have been bloodshed and the region's trajectory would not have changed, if elections were not rigged," the former chief minister said.

Mehbooba stated that the present dispensation is pressuring officers of a specific community to support BJP’s proxy candidates which according to her was a repeat of 1987’s electoral manipulation. "Even today, we see people being coerced ahead of elections" she said.

To a question about Er Rashid she said that not only Er Rashid but all those innocent Kashmiris who are languishing in different jails of the country should be released at the earliest.

Mehbooba said that democracy was being ripped apart in Kashmir as Er Rashid's main campaigner has been arrested on the behest of those who want to prevent him from campaigning and thus help BJP's proxy candidate instead.