Shocking Allegations: Mehbooba Accuses AIP Led by Jailed MP Engineer Rashid of Becoming Yet Another Proxy
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has accused the BJP-led union government of using the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) as a proxy to divide votes in Kashmir. Her allegations follow a violent clash between AIP and PDP workers in Shopian, where PDP candidate Yawar Banday was seriously injured.
Mufti asserted that the attack on Banday, which resulted in multiple broken ribs, was orchestrated by AIP workers. AIP, founded by Abdul Rahid Sheikh (Engineer Rashid), is now gaining significant influence despite Rashid being incarcerated in Tihar jail.
Questioning the financial backing of AIP, Mufti raised concerns about how a party led by a jailed leader could afford to field candidates across the region. “Where is the money coming from? Where are the funds coming from? And most importantly, where do they get the courage to engage in such hooliganism?” she asked.
Mufti suggested that the union government might be supporting AIP with resources, as other proxy parties had failed. She warned that this strategy aims to weaken the PDP and disrupt political unity in Kashmir. “If any PDP worker had committed such an act, our entire party would have been behind bars by now,” she stated, emphasizing the alleged preferential treatment towards AIP.
Her comments come amid a notable rise in Independent candidates in the assembly elections. Out of 330 candidates in the first two phases, 145 are Independents, many of whom Mufti claims are covertly funded by the BJP to undermine PDP’s influence, especially after the controversial changes to the region’s status on August 5, 2019.
Mufti expressed frustration over the lack of action taken following the attack on Banday and called for an immediate investigation. She urged Kashmiris to remain vigilant against political maneuvers aimed at dividing the electorate, emphasizing the influence of powerful forces backing AIP.
Original Story https://tripurachronicle.in/national-news/mehbooba-accused-aip-headed-by-jailed-mp-engineer-rashid-of-being-another-proxy/
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