![Mehbooba Mufti during a presser in Srinagar [Representational Image]](https://gumlet.assettype.com/greaterkashmir%2F2022-08%2F676dc7ec-c981-4d7e-8712-9dac87519541%2FMehbooba_Mufti_addressing_a_press_conference_regarding_the_claims_of_outsiders_to_be_added_to_voter_.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
Anantnag: After the Surat court rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 criminal defamation case, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that the ruling party at Centre wants to make India a "Banana Republic".
"Today is the black day in the democracy of India as the main Opposition leader is being treated like this. BJP wants to make India a Banana Republic," said Mufti said. A Surat court on Thursday rejected Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 criminal defamation case on the 'Modi surname' remark.
