SRINAGAR: Alleging that concerted efforts are being made by the government to discourage the opposition from coming out and campaigning by downgrading their security, the National Conference (NC) today appealed to the Election Commission to direct the alliance to provide necessary security to the functionaries of NC and Congress.
“Concerted efforts are being made now on the part of the coalition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and BJP alliance government to discourage the opposition from moving out to campaign.
Our security is being downgraded. Bullet proof vehicles of party functionaries are being withdrawn.
Escort vehicles are being taken away,” main opposition NC working president Omar Abdullah told a press conference here after announcing an alliance with the Congress for the bypolls for Srinagar and Anantnag Parliamentary seats.
The former Chief Minister said candidates, who contested elections in 2014 polls, are now being told to manage without a Personnel Security Officers (PSOs) in highly volatile areas in districts of Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian.
“So on behalf of NC and Congress I would like to make an appeal to the Election Commission that they need to direct the state government to provide all necessary security to all the functionaries of the two parties (NC and Congress), so that we can take our message to the people,” he said.
Lashing out at the government over these concerns, Mr Abdullah said let the people decide in which direction they would choose to go.
Asked if his party will ask EC for re-introduction of paper ballet amid a growing chorus questioning the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Mr Abdullah said he is not concerned about the issue right now. (AGENCIES)
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