1 hr ago
Kashmir Valley Sees Rival Protests Over Vote-Chori Allegations
Political parties held protests in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
In the Kashmir Valley, INDIA bloc supporters raised concerns about alleged problems with voter lists and the Election Commission.
They demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign.
Police stopped their march in Srinagar, and the protest ended without incident.
In Jammu, BJP supporters held a separate protest against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
They were criticizing the Congress over allegations involving MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.
Police also stopped that group from marching, and it held a sit-in.
Farooq Abdullah said opposition parties should be able to speak up and help hold the government accountable.
He also said elections should be transparent.
INDIA bloc parties held coordinated protests in Srinagar and other Kashmir Valley district headquarters over alleged electoral-roll irregularities and the Election Commission’s functioning.
Protesters called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; police blocked their attempted march in Srinagar.
In Jammu, BJP demonstrators burned an effigy of Rahul Gandhi and protested a separate controversy involving Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.
Police stopped the BJP group from marching to the Congress headquarters, and demonstrators held a sit-in.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said a strong opposition and transparent elections are essential to democracy.
- Who
- INDIA bloc parties and BJP supporters held protests; Farooq Abdullah also commented on the role of the opposition.
- What
- Opposition parties protested alleged electoral irregularities, while the BJP held a counter-demonstration over a separate controversy involving Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.
- Where
- Srinagar and other Kashmir Valley district headquarters, and Jammu, in Jammu and Kashmir.
- When
- Saturday; no date is specified.
- Why
- The INDIA bloc cited alleged discrepancies in electoral-roll revision and concerns about the Election Commission. The BJP protest focused on allegations involving Akoijam and the Congress’s response.
INDIA Bloc and National Conference
BJP
Election Commission and voter rolls
INDIA Bloc and National Conference
INDIA bloc protesters alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and criticized the Election Commission, demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
BJP
The article reports a BJP counter-agitation in Jammu but does not provide a specific BJP response to the INDIA bloc’s electoral allegations.
Congress and Angomcha Bimol Akoijam
INDIA Bloc and National Conference
The article reports BJP accusations that Congress was shielding Akoijam and had not taken a decisive position; it does not provide a response from Congress or Akoijam.
BJP
BJP demonstrators demanded Akoijam’s expulsion from Parliament and pressed Rahul Gandhi for a public response, citing Akoijam’s dismissal by Jawaharlal Nehru University after allegations involving students.
Role of opposition in democracy
INDIA Bloc and National Conference
Farooq Abdullah said an empowered opposition is necessary to represent public concerns, review government policy and uphold democratic values.
BJP
The article does not report a BJP response to Abdullah’s remarks.
Key facts
- Protest campaign
- INDIA bloc parties rallied under a nationwide campaign against what they called “vote chori.”
- Election issue
- Protesters raised allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the Election Commission’s conduct.
- Srinagar demonstration
- Congress, National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party workers gathered at the Congress headquarters on Moulana Azad Road.
- Police response
- Police blocked attempted marches in Srinagar and Jammu; the Srinagar protest dispersed without incident.
- BJP demonstration
- BJP leaders and workers burned an effigy of Rahul Gandhi near the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Wazarat Road in Jammu.
- Separate controversy
- BJP demonstrators called for Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam’s expulsion from Parliament, citing his dismissal by Jawaharlal Nehru University following allegations of sexual harassment involving students.
- Farooq Abdullah’s remarks
- The National Conference president said an active opposition, electoral transparency and institutional accountability are important to democracy.
Quotes
Farooq Abdullah
Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference president
“A healthy democratic system rests on freedom of expression, respect for differing opinions, public participation and institutional accountability, and any deviation from these principles weakens democracy itself.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Silencing public voices and ignoring legitimate demands does not solve problems but instead deepens the divide between citizens and those in power.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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