Don’t Boycott Polls This Time: Mehbooba To People

Srinagar : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti Thursday filed her nomination papers for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir. The voting for this seat is scheduled for the third phase on May 7. Accompanied by several party leaders and hundreds of supporters, Mehbooba arrived at the office of the constituency’s returning officer and Anantnag Deputy Commissioner Syed Fakhruddin to file her nomination.
Talking to reporters the PDP President appealed people not to boycott elections. She emphasized that these elections are crucial for safeguarding dignity, identity, and resources of Jammu and Kashmir. She said “I urge all the people of Jammu and Kashmir not to boycott the elections. There are attempts to encourage boycotts, particularly in South Kashmir. We must expose these conspiracies. Vote for the candidate whom you believe will advocate for the oppressed people.” The PDP president highlighted that this Lok Sabha election is not merely about developmental issues such as electricity, water, and roads. Instead, it is about addressing the onslaught on the dignity, identity, property, and resources of the region since 2019. She emphasized that the election transcends party lines and is about the current state of Kashmir being transformed into an open prison. “Today, all our resources are being stripped away, and efforts are being made to turn us into bonded laborers. We will not allow this. This land and the opportunities it holds belong to us. We will not permit our identity to be eroded.”