The BJP wants to cage me again

AFTER HER release from detention last October, Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party president, has been relentless in her attack on the BJP. She has also been active as vice president of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. Excerpts from an exclusive interview with THE WEEK:

-  TARIQ BHAT

Q/Are you satisfied with the performance of the alliance in the District Development Council (DDC) elections?

A/Given more time and a level playing field, the alliance would have definitely fared better. The elections came as a surprise, and then our candidates were not allowed to move freely to campaign. We needed more time to unite our grassroots workers.

Q/How were the candidates prevented from campaigning?

A/The government detained many of our candidates at different venues under the pretext of security and did not allow them to move out for campaigning. Candidates who were at their homes were not allowed to visit their areas. The location and distribution of polling booths [deliberately] favoured particular parties.

Q/You said the government was using the police to coerce your elected candidates to change loyalties.

A/The government machinery is being used to tempt and intimidate the DDC members to switch sides and stop the alliance from getting the chairmanship. The police have got involved at the top level in this notorious operation. The choice is, you either fall in line and take the money or you go to jail. Those police personnel who don’t want to play ball have to face the music in different ways. Whatever good the government of India tried to portray by conducting these elections has been squandered away.

Q/A majority of voters in the Kashmir valley stayed away from the polls.