Who made elections ‘haram’ for Jama’at, others in 1987? Mehbooba hits out at NC

Srinagar, Aug 30: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister J&K Mehbooba Mufti Friday hit out at National Conference (NC) over ‘halal, haram’ remarks, asking them who made elections “haram” for Jama’at-e-Islami, and others in 1987.

Mehbooba who made an apparent reference of 1987 election “rigging” for which she held the then NC leadership responsible for election rigging and forcing Jama’at and other political outfits to stay away from mainstream electoral process.

“Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was first made Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Jammu & Kashmir, who then tied the territory to Union of India. When he became Prime Minister, election was halal, and when he was removed from the post it became haram for 22 years,” Mehbooba  told reporters in Srinagar.

She said Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was rhetoric about plebiscite for 22 years, but later on in 1975 he gave up his idea and accepted the post of Chief Minister instead of PM. Then he went again in elections which was halal that time.

“Later on in 1987 when Jama’at and other groups came together under the union of Muslim United Front (MUF), who made elections haram for them? It was NC who rigged polls and closed doors for Jama’at and others from taking part in mainstream electoral process. This dejected Jama’at and others from electoral process and led them stay away from elections. How surprising is this those were talking elections are haram for 22 years, later the same surrendered their ideas and accepted to remain employed on cheap salary in 1975. Why they abandoned the idea of azadi, plebiscite etc?,” Mehbooba questioned.

Mehbooba hailed Jama’at for come back in mainstream electoral process, saying “If JeI wants to take part in elections it is a welcome step”.

She appealed government to lift ban on Jama’at and defreeze their institutions and assets. “It is National Conference who runs halal, haram narrative for their personal gains. When this party remains in power elections become halal, and when they remain out the electoral process becomes haram,” Mehbooba added.