The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Srinagar Parliamentary seat, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Saturday said that the BJP-led government at the Centre should not repeat the 1987 rigged election, saying it will have disastrous consequences.

The elections were allegedly rigged by Congress alongside the National Conference in Kashmir, spurring armed militancy in the Valley a year later.

Talking to the news agency KNO, he said that his party did not demand any support from the Central government but was seeking free and fair elections.

He said that the government shouldn't support those who are misleading them, alleging Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari has been misleading Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He alleged that his workers are being detained at the behest of Bukhari and named him the “chief of political Ikhwan”.

He said that people must vote for those who they really think can raise their voices in the parliament as people in J&K have been living under constant fear since August 2019.

Para said that there has been silence since August 2019 in J&K and nobody dares to speak here. “We want to break the silence and we can save our identity, land and resources that are under threat,” he added.

He claimed that his party, especially President Mehbooba Mufti, is the only leader who has been very vocal against the policies of the Government of India since 2019 while other leaders have maintained silence.

According to Para, people in large numbers must vote to keep those away from power who have been misleading the Government of India.

SRINAGAR — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Srinagar constituency, Waheed-ur-Rahman Para, is the poorest candidate in the fray with a house valued at a mere Rs 32 lac and a monthly earning not exceeding Rs 40,000. However, his opponent from Apni Party Muhammad Ashraf Mir is much richer than Para, having almost Rs 31 crore net worth.

The poll affidavit Para has submitted before the Returning Officer in Srinagar reveals that he has not been able to earn anything from the year 2020 to 2022 for being under detention.

According to the news agency KNO, Para, in his poll affidavit, has declared that FIR No. 05/2020 at NIA Jammu Police Station and FIR No. 31/2020 at CIK Srinagar Police Station are registered against him.

The sections under which Para has been charged include Sections 18, 19, 20, 23, 38, 13, 17, 18, 39, 40 of the UAPA Act (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), UAPA read with 7/25 of the Arms Act, Section 120/B, 3/04 of ES Act, Section 121/A, 124/A of IPC (Indian Penal Code).

In 2022-23, his income was Rs 4,51,270, while in 2023-24, it was Rs 4,70,310. His monthly earnings are not more than a mere 39 thousand rupees. He has Rs 1 lac cash in hand. He doesn't have any savings or fixed deposits. However, he has ancestral land valuing approximately Rs 2 crore. He has immovable assets worth 18 lac and an ancestral house in Pulwama, valuing Rs 32 lac.

Furthermore, as per the affidavit, he has completed a Master's in International Relations (Peace and Conflict Studies) from the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST).

On the other hand, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party candidate for the Srinagar Parliament constituency, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, in his poll affidavit, has declared details of both movable and immovable assets, including those of his spouse and dependents.

The movable assets include a total value of Rs 97 lac for Mohammad Ashraf Mir and Rs 1,57,25,528 for his spouse. As far as immovable assets are concerned, Mohammad Ashraf Mir has declared a total value of Rs 1,54,00,000 as per the present market value, including agricultural land.

Additionally, he has declared a total current market value of approximately Rs 30.15 crore for residential buildings, including apartments. Mir's assets include movable assets such as personal vehicles, immovable assets such as residential buildings and agricultural land, as well as financial assets such as savings deposits and investments in companies/mutual funds.

The candidate's highest educational qualification is a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) in Personnel Management from BMS College of Engineering in 1995. He owns a Toyota Fortuner and a Mahindra Scorpio. Based on the provided document, Mir has Rs 5,00,000 in cash in hand and a savings deposit of Rs 1,25,528 in J&K Bank.

SRINAGAR — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth president and a contestant from Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Wednesday said that the party will try its best to represent the sentiment of youth in the Parliament democratically.

Para, who filed nomination for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat today, while speaking to the news agency KNS that their effort in this election is to reach every household of Jammu and Kashmir and seek votes and confidence of people who have been left unattended from the last five years.

He said PDP represents the youth of Jammu & Kashmir and their aspirations and assures people of the region that they will become their voice. He appealed to voters to give them an opportunity to serve their sentiments in the Parliament. “Give us a chance and see how PDP will represent people in New Delhi’s Parliament,” he said.

Para asserted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are craving and have an urge to connect with PDP as this is the only party who flagged up their concerns in odd and even. “After August 5, 2019, no political leader dared to speak up for their people. Everyone remained tight-lipped, and it was only Mehbooba Mufti who took a stand and stood for people,” he said.

“PDP will try its best to represent people’s sentiment democratically,” Para added. He continued that many elements were thinking of boycotting, but he appeals to the people, especially youth, to vote whosoever they want to elect. “Your vote is inevitable for change,” he added.

PULWAMA — In a significant political development, District Development Council (DDC) Member Javed Rahim Bhat, hailing from Rajpora/Pulwama-B, officially joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday amidst a fervent gathering at Zaigam village near Rahmoo diversion bridge. Despite heavy rain dampening the spirits of some attendees, hundreds of staunch supporters stood by, expressing solidarity with both Bhat and the PDP.

The event, held at a Zaigam playfield in Rahmoo village, witnessed a surge of attendees eager to witness Bhat's formal induction into the PDP ranks. The atmosphere was electrified as various party stalwarts, including the party President Mehbooba Mufti and Parliament Candidate Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, graced the occasion with their presence.

Speaking to The Kashmir Pulse, Bhat highlighted his deliberative process in choosing a political affiliation, ultimately selecting the PDP due to its alignment with the people's concerns and grievances. He vowed to continue his developmental initiatives within his constituency, emphasizing his commitment to amplifying the voices of the marginalized.

Mehbooba Mufti, addressing the resilient crowd amid the rainfall, underscored the significance of the upcoming Parliament elections in amplifying the Kashmiri narrative. She called upon the electorate to vote en masse, positioning the PDP as the rightful advocate for the region's issues on the national stage. Mufti passionately advocated for the release of incarcerated youth and pledged to champion the genuine grievances of the Kashmiri populace.

Despite the inclement weather, the event served as a testament to the unwavering support for both Javed Rahim Bhat and the PDP, signalling a potential shift in the political turf of Pulwama district. As the political dynamics continue to evolve, Bhat's decision to join the PDP injects fresh momentum into the party's efforts to represent the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

PULWAMA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) launched its election campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir with a vibrant road show stretching from Tahab Crossing, Circular Road Pulwama to Sangam, Anantnag on Tuesday.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and party's youth president Waheed-ur-Rehman Para led the rally, which drew hundreds of enthusiastic participants, predominantly comprised of youth and PDP supporters.

Addressing the media during the event, Mehbooba Mufti extended condolences to the families affected by the recent Batwara Srinagar boat capsizing incident.

She emphasized the historical support from Pulwama, asserting its significance as the starting point of their campaign. Criticizing the current administration, she lamented the alleged transformation of the union territory into an "open jail" under the BJP-led LG regime.

Mufti condemned the shooting of a tourist guide in Shopian, labelling it unfortunate. However, she contested the mass arrests of youth under Public Safety Act (PSA) charges, suggesting it was disproportionate to the incident.

The PDP's election strategy was outlined, with Mufti contesting from the remodelled Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Para entering the fray from Srinagar-Pulwama, and Fayaz Ahmad Mir standing as the candidate from the north Kashmir constituency.

The PDP's decision to contest independently follows a public fallout with the National Conference despite their previous alliance in the INDIA coalition.

The upcoming polls, commencing on April 19, will witness prominent contenders including former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and veteran National Conference leader Mian Altaf.

Jammu and Kashmir's electoral landscape has undergone significant changes with the state's transition to a Union territory. The redrawing of constituencies, including Anantnag, aims at achieving parity in representation between Kashmir and Jammu divisions.

Mehbooba Mufti's stronghold in south Kashmir is pivotal for the PDP's electoral prospects, having secured parliamentary victories in 2004 and 2014. South Kashmir's allegiance to the PDP played a crucial role in the party's ascent to power in the 2014 assembly elections.

The Anantnag constituency, emerging from the delimitation exercise, will go to polls on May 7, reflecting the evolving political dynamics in the region.

Political observers anticipate a fiercely contested electoral battle, with each party vying to consolidate its traditional support bases amidst shifting demographics and geopolitical changes.

SRINAGAR — Mohammad Rafiq Pandit, a retired inspector renowned for his social activism, has joined People's Democratic Party (PDP) and was welcomed into the partyfold by party president Mehbooba Mufti.

The occasion was marked by a ceremonial event attended by District President Pulwama Bari Andrabi, Ghulam Mohiuddin Wachi, Youth President PDP Waheed ur Rehman Para, and former MLA Anjum Fazli.

Rafiq Pandit, hailed as a prominant activist in Karimabad Pulwama, emphasised the strategic significance of his decision, stating, "My allegiance to the PDP stems from a deeply rooted dedication to the welfare and progress of Pulwama's populace.”

Mehbooba Mufti, in her welcoming address, underscored the importance of Rafiq Pandit's entry into the PDP fold.

She said addition of Mohammad Rafiq Pandit to the party exemplifies commitment to inclusivity and grassroots representation.

In a separate programme, DDC member Behibagh in Kulgam, Ruby Jan, also joined the PDP in the presence of party's Vice President A R Veeri.

SRINAGAR — In a strategic move reflecting the evolving landscape of Jammu and Kashmir's political terrain, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently unveiled its revamped roster of key office bearers.

In a pivotal stride reflecting the transformative potential within Jammu and Kashmir's political fabric, the PDP unveiled a recalibrated leadership lineup, strategically appointing Waheed-ur-Rehman Para as the Youth President for the region.

Marking a significant shift in the party's leadership dynamics, this reshuffle comes in the wake of Mehbooba Mufti's re-election as president in October, signalling a deliberate effort to reinvigorate the party's structure in accordance with the PDP constitution.

The nominations, announced by President Mehbooba Mufti herself, are a carefully curated assembly of seasoned politicians and emerging voices within the party. Haji Abdul Hamid Choudhary and Ab Rehman Bhat (Veeri) have assumed the roles of Vice Presidents, bringing their wealth of experience to bolster the party's endeavours.

Dr. Mehboob Beg's appointment as General Secretary Organization echoes a strategic emphasis on organizational efficacy, while the appointment of Gh Nabi Lone (Hanjura), S Amreek Singh Reen, and Imtiyaz Hussain Shan as General Secretaries underscores a balanced amalgamation of leadership from diverse backgrounds.

Further augmenting the party's leadership cadre, the appointments of Ms. Asiea Naqash, Satpal Singh Charak (Incharge PDP Office Jammu), Adv. Khurshid Iqbal Shah, and Rajinder Singh Manhas as Additional General Secretaries represent a concerted effort to encompass varied perspectives within the party's decision-making echelons.

Of notable mention is the nomination of Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra as the Youth President for Jammu and Kashmir, a move widely perceived as a strategic endeavour to infuse youthful dynamism into the party's vision and outreach efforts. This announcement underscores the party's recognition of the burgeoning potential and influence of the youth in shaping the region's political discourse.

The announcement, relayed through a statement issued by a party spokesperson via the Media Cell, signifies the PDP's commitment to a meticulously curated leadership ensemble aimed at steering the party through the complex socio-political landscape of the region.

This recalibration of leadership roles within the PDP is poised to shape the party's trajectory, potentially redefining its engagement strategies and reinforcing its relevance in the evolving political spectrum of Jammu and Kashmir.

PULWAMA — Mehbooba Mufti, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the president of the Peoples Democratic Party paid a visit to PDP youth President Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra's home in the Naira area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Saturday.

Parra, the PDP youth wing leader, was granted bail by the Jammu & Kashmir High Court on Wednesday, 18 months after his detention by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on accusations of suspected 'terror' ties.

Taking to the microblogging site Twitter, JKPDP wrote, "PDP President @MehboobaMufti today visited the residence of @YouthJKPDP @parawahid at Naira, Pulwama. Waheed Parra was released recently after 18 months of incarceration."

The NIA apprehended Para on November 25, three days after he filed candidacy papers for the first District Development Council elections in J&K from Pulwama. While incarcerated, he had won.

SRINAGAR — People’s Democratic Party’s youth wing president Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra has been granted bail by Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Wednesday, ordering his immediate release.

Shariq Reyaz, Parra's counsel, informed the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that he has been granted bail by the high court.

"Order of trial court set aside. Had the onerous duty to lead his defence and argue his bail appeal. Waheed walks out after more than a year in custody," informed his lawyer.

Reacting to the judgement, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, "Finally after almost two years, Waheed Para gets bail & I hope he walks out as a free man soon. Would like to thank his lawyer Shariq for fighting his case with such conviction & determination."

Parra was arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a 'terror' case in 2020, since then he was in judicial custody.