'Gunda Raj Back?': Iltija Mufti Accuses NC, CPI(M) Of Hooliganism, Arson After J&K Poll Victory

PDP leader Iltija Mufti addressed a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar where she accused the NC and CPI (M) of hooliganism, arson, and stone pelting after their poll victory.

The People's Democratic Party on Thursday levelled allegations against the National Conference and Communist Party of India (Marxist) of indulging in hooliganism, stone pelting, and arson after winning the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference at the PDP headquarters in Srinagar, PDP leader Iltija Mufti congratulated Omar Abdullah Abdullah on his election as the legislature party leader and his party's victory. However, she questioned whether the huge majority was won for hooliganism and destruction of properties.

She went on to cite various incidents of hooliganism involving NC MLA from Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Bashir Veeri, claiming that his workers vandalised PDP workers' houses and set one of their cowsheds ablaze.

"The NC's elected MLA from Srigufwara-Bijbehara (Bashir Veeri) is indulging in hooliganism. His workers are destroying the outer walls of the houses of PDP workers, a cowshed belonging to a PDP worker was also burnt.  I want to question Omar Abdullah whether the huge majority they got was for this," she said.

'Gunda Raj Back?'

Iltija Mufti, who lost the election to NC's Veeri, also alleged that the NC workers were harassing women workers and using foul language against them. She even shared videos of the alleged incidents of violence against her party's workers.

"I do not mind if they abuse me or Mehbooba Mufti, but do not touch our workers. Then we will take action," she added.

In another video shared by Mufti on her social media, broken windows of a house, allegedly belonging to a PDP worker, can be seen with glass shattered on the floor. 

"Within a day of its win in Bijbehara NC hooligans have left a trail of destruction by harassing PDPs local cadre to celebrate their win. This is another video of PDP workers whose windows have been smashed & pelted with stones. Gunda raj back? How are you allowing this?" she tweeted.

Iltija Mufti, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti's daughter, also shared screenshots of complaints she received from distressed PDP workers after the alleged attacks. She called for LG Manoj Sinha's intervention in the matter.

"Getting frantic calls from PDP workers in Bijbehara. NC goons egged on by newly elected MLA Bashir Veeri are spreading mayhem & indulging in arson, stone pelting & vandalism by attacking PDP workers in Subhanpora, Khirram, Waghama & Dachnipora," she said in a post on X.

'NC Is Known For Hooliganism': Mufti

Iltija Mufti further expressed concern for the people of Bijbehara because of the "wrong MLA" they elected. She also pointed out at similar incidents occurring in other regions, where the NC and CPI(M) have won.

"Not just in Bijbehera, the NC is indulging in the same behaviour in DH Pora constituency. The CPI(M) is doing it in Kulgam as well against Jamaat-i-Islami (JeI). The NC is known for hooliganism and 'gunda raj'. They are doing what they used to do 30-40 years back," she added.

The PDP leader said that the party had raised these issues with the administration and police, expressing gratitude to them for acting swiftly. "Some FIRs have been registered. I want to warn the NC workers to stop doing it. Otherwise we will take them to task," she stated, adding "I think the NC has always been drunk on power".