PDP hints at election boycott

The belligerent People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which had withdrawn its support to the Ghulam Nabi Azad government over the Amarnath land issue, is now in the mood to “boycott” the coming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Making a case against the November schedule of the elections, the PDP leaders today told the Election Commission that the “consequences of an ‘imposed’ election in J-K would be disastrous”. The Commission had called a meeting of political parties to ascertain their views on the Assembly elections.

“Mob fury is a major threat to normal political activity in the state today,” said PDP general secretary Nizamudin Bhat, adding, “The polarisation, breakdown of state’s authority, alienation of people and continuing agitation in Kashmir do not augur well for free and fair elections in the state.’’

Bhat, however, said that in case the Commission ignored his party’s advice and held the elections in November, “the PDP would chart its next course of action.” Sources said the party was even ready for a boycott as leaders feared a drubbing in these elections.

The PDP’s popularity had taken a major hit across Kashmir in the aftermath of the Amarnath land row.

Party chief Mehbooba Mufti remains the only critic of the peace deal signed between the government and the agitationists in Jammu early this month over the Amarnath land. Mehbooba had been asking the “Centre to make a choice between keeping Kashmir as part of India or conducting the Amarnath pilgrimage”.

The National Conference, which is also nervous over the impact of “boycott” threat held out by the extremist parties in Kashmir, however, was not as vocal in opposing the election. Party president Omar Abdullah told the Commission to “evaluate the international repercussions of a low voter turnout before deciding the dates of the elections”.

However, NC patron Farooq Abdullah told his partymen in Srinagar today that “elections had to be faced come what may”. Sources said Farooq had been a staunch supporter of early elections as he believed this to be the only way to “fight the separatists in the Valley”.