Jammu: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday defended the right to hold peaceful protests in a democracy and alleged that the Election Commission had worked to help a particular political party win elections.
He was responding to a question about RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks that agitations aimed at regime change do not resolve fundamental problems and could become instruments of political interests, fuelling divisions in society rather than delivering solutions.
“The most important thing is that India is a democracy, and the Constitution gives you the right to hold protests, as long as they remain peaceful. Therefore, that protest is taking place now,” Abdullah told reporters here.
Taking a dig at the chief election commissioner, he said that the entire country knows that the Election Commission has committed irregularities. “It has worked to help one political party win, which was not its job,” Abdullah alleged.
Questioning the composition of the selection panel for appointing Election Commission members, the NC president said the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the selection process and the presence of two government representatives had raised concerns about the existing arrangement.
“Of the three members of the selection panel, two are from the government and one is from the Opposition. Therefore, it is necessary to bring about a change in this arrangement,” he said.
Abdullah said the Election Commission should be independent and capable of discharging its responsibilities freely.
Dr Abdullah also took part in the Dussehra celebrations at the parade ground here.