Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, PDP candidate from the Srinagar seat, sought the intervention of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union Home Ministry against officials

Dog squad of CRPF patrols on a street after security was beefed up ahead of voting in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Srinagar, on May 11, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

By PEERZADA ASHIQ

Just two days ahead of the Srinagar Lok Sabha election, J&K’s two regional parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC), on Saturday accused the administration of “ bias” and “unjust crackdown on party activists”. 

Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, PDP candidate from the Srinagar seat, sought the intervention of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union Home Ministry against officials. “Actions of certain officials influenced by one political party are reminiscent of the mistakes made by the Congress and the National Conference (NC) in 1987. Arrests, harassment, and raids on PDP workers undermine the essence of democracy. We demand free and fair elections. Manipulating elections equals rigging and echoes of the dark days of 1987, killing hopes in democracy. Hope you won’t let anyone derail the process,” Mr. Parra said.

According to the PDP, around 50 PDP supporters, including polling agents, have been arrested by the police in Pulwama district. Mr. Parra hails from Pulwama.

“Sad to see police arresting and unlawfully detaining polling agents of the J&K Peoples Democratic Party in the central Kashmir parliament constituency,” Mr. Parra said.

This story was originally published in thehindu.com. Read the full story here.