Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir poll body has asked PDP candidate Waheed Para to explain his statement urging Kashmir’s youngsters to consider the general elections as a “referendum” to send New Delhi a message, and asked him refrain from making utterances that may aggravate differences among communities.
The notice issued by the nodal officer for the Model Code of Conduct on Wednesday gave Para two days to respond.
“…this act of yours has the potential of aggravating the differences among communities and can cause discontentment in the society… you are asked to refrain from issuing such statements forthwith and also to make clear the exact context and message you wanted to convey to the people and also to clarify your position to the District Election Officer, Srinagar, within two days…,” it read.
The notice further said that non-compliance with the notice would invite action under the law.
When contacted, Para said he owed allegiance to the Constitution of the country and by using the word “referendum”, he wanted to ask people to come out in large numbers to vote so that the dream of democracy could flourish.
The notice further mentioned that as per the MCC guidelines, any activity that may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes, communities or religious or linguistic groups is not to be attempted.
The PDP’s Srinagar candidate recently appealed to Kashmir’s youngsters to consider the general elections as a “referendum” to send to New Delhi a message about their “dissatisfaction” with the Centre’s decisions post-August 2019.
Para, who is also the youth wing chief of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had said there is a need to send a message “that you (New Delhi) should not accept the silence of Kashmir as its acceptance”.
“Do not think they (people of Kashmir) are happy with you (on decisions of, and post-August 2019). They are not. There are many reasons behind it. The future of the people, especially youngsters, is uncertain,” he had added.
Meanwhile, the District Administration Kupwara also served a notice to ‘J&K People’s Conference’ for violation of MCC in Vilgam area of Handwara.
Nodal Officer, MCC, Additional District Magistrate, Kupwara on Wednesday issued a show-cause-notice to Peoples Conference district president Kupwara, after a vehicle mounted with party flag transporting GI pipes was spotted in Vilgam area. The said vehicle was intercepted and seized.
It was given out that during the enforcement of MCC, display of any flag, sticker, etc., on commercial vehicles is not permissible unless such vehicle is being validly used for election campaign after obtaining the requisite permit from the District Election Officer/Returning Officer and the said permit is displayed, in original, on the wind-screen of the vehicle.
“It is illegal, gross misconduct and amounting to clear violation of Model Code of Conduct guidelines as this kind of activity has the tendency to influence the voters,” the notice said.
Seeking explanation, it said that the failure in submission of clarification within two days may warrant the matter being forwarded to Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir.
In a related development, the authorities in Ganderbal disengaged a government employee today for violation of MCC guidelines, an official press release informed.
It said the order issued in this regard stated that “Muneer Ahamd Teli is hereby disengaged with immediate effect as per the direction received from Nodal Officer MCC Ganderbal”.
Pertinent to mention, the said employee, a resident of Batpora Safapora, is working in Middle School Safapora as CPW. “He was actively participating in election campaigns of a political party violating the MCC,” officials said. (With additional inputs from PTI)
