Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti didn’t mince words as she tore into the BJP for allegedly deploying central agencies to target political rivals just before elections. In her strongest critique yet, Mufti described these moves as the hallmark of a party gripped by panic and electoral anxiety.
Addressing a press conference in the heart of Srinagar, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister laid bare what she sees as a systematic campaign of harassment. Raids on opposition homes, summons to leaders from various parties—these, she claimed, are not random but orchestrated to cripple challengers.
“Desperation breeds such hollowness,” Mufti quipped, linking the actions to BJP’s slipping poll prospects. She recounted how her own party has borne the brunt, with PDP workers facing probes that she insists lack substance.
This isn’t isolated, Mufti stressed. From Delhi to the states, a similar playbook is unfolding, eroding democratic norms. She demanded judicial oversight on agency operations during election periods and accused the government of turning institutions into partisan tools.
In Kashmir’s volatile context, Mufti’s words carry extra weight. With mainstream politics still reeling from 2019’s upheavals, she positioned PDP as the voice of resistance against central overreach. “We won’t be intimidated,” she vowed.
Observers view this as part of a larger opposition pushback, with leaders uniting against perceived authoritarianism. As campaigns kick off, Mufti’s narrative could sway undecided voters, framing the polls as a referendum on institutional fairness.
The BJP has yet to respond formally, but party insiders dismiss the claims as sour grapes from a weakened rival. Regardless, Mufti’s salvo has reignited debates on the autonomy of India’s probe agencies.
