Srinagar by-polls: NPP demands re-election, holds Farooq Abdullah responsible for Kashmir's destruction

Image
ANI Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]
Last Updated : Apr 15 2017 | 8:42 PM IST

Lashing out at the Srinagar by-polls' result on Saturday, the National Panthers Party (NPP) demanded the elections to be conducted again holding National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah responsible for the 'destruction' of Jammu and Kashmir.

"This is the blackest day in the democracy of the state which is part of India. It is Farooq Abdullah and his son who are responsible for the deaths and destructions in the state. They are destroying the democracy of Jammu and Kashmir," NPP leader Bhim Singh told ANI.

He added that the Election Commission (EC) has conducted a fraudulent election and the elections should be declared as sham adding new elections should be conducted.

"The Panthers Party has been demanding Governor's rule since eight months after Mufti Sahab's death. This is the fraud committed by the central government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is no government in Kashmir, neither any governance," he said.

Singh asserted that the elections were not possible at this moment because of growing violence in the state.

"People of Kashmir want democracy. Farooq Abdullah has manufactured all the votes," he added.

Abdullah won the Srinagar by-polls today, and following his victory announced his demand of the removal of the PDP Government.

After completing 13th round of counting, Abdullah bagged 26, 695 votes while the PDP candidate got 17,901 votes.

He won the Lok Sabha by-poll defeating the PDP's Nazir Khan.

A voter turnout of 7.13 percent was recorded in the re-polling that went on in 38 polling stations of the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat on Thursday.

1.4 percent voter turnout was recorded polling till 12 noon in Budgam where re-polling took place at 38 voting stations.

There were nine candidates in the fray, but the main contest was between Abdullah and Nazir Ahmad Khan.

Abdullah, 79, had lost the seat to PDP's Tariq Hameed Karra in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The seat fell vacant after Karra resigned from the PDP and the Lok Sabha - he eventually joined the Congress which entered in a pre-poll alliance with the National Conference.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced re-polling on 38 polling stations on April 13.

The by-polls of Srinagar Parliamentary constituency were held on April 9 amidst multiple incidences of violence resulting in the killing of seven civilians and injuring many.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Apr 15 2017 | 8:42 PM IST

Next Story