Asma Bhat
Senior National Conference (NC) leader and Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, has raised concerns over the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to order transfers while the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in effect.
Addressing a press conference at the NC headquarters Nawa-e-Subh in Srinagar, Ruhullah questioned the timing of these transfers. “We wonder why these transfers are taking place when we are about to see polls and when MCC is in vogue,” he stated.
He further revealed that the NC has sent a letter to the ECI, seeking an explanation for these transfers during the ongoing Code of Conduct. “I am surprised Baramulla SSP was transferred within 10 days only and a new one posted there. This is what we were worried about. During our meeting with the ECI in Srinagar, we were assured that no such step would be taken and parties would be given a level playing field,” Ruhullah said.
Ruhullah expressed his belief that these transfers could be seen as an attempt to disrupt the level playing field promised by the ECI to all political parties.
“Isn’t it surprising to see that a police officer who posted just ten days ago in Baramulla was replaced by a new one? Three more transfers were made and one deputy commissioner was also shifted,” he remarked.
In a critique of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ruhullah questioned their claims of working towards a resolution of the Kashmir issue.
He reiterated the NC’s commitment to fighting for the restoration of Article 370 and addressing the political issues of Kashmir.
“We have promised in our manifesto that we will fight for the restoration of what has been snatched from us. That includes Article 370 as well. We also believe Kashmir is a political issue which needs to be resolved politically,” Ruhullah said.