Peoples Conference senior vice president and former minister, Abdul Gani Vakil, Monday asserted that Kashmiris are facing the brunt of 1987 rigged elections.
Addressing party workers at Ferozpora and Zurhama, Vakilsaid, “The reason behind the political turmoil in the state is that governmentshave been formed on the basis of fooling our own people and rigging thedemocratic process of elections.”
“The blatant rigging of 1987 resulted in eruption ofmilitancy and subsequent bloodshed in Kashmir. Till this day, we are facing thebrunt. The stealing of mandate pushed many to the other side-Yusuf Shah becameSyed Salah-ud-din and Syed Ali Shah Geelani became the face of separatism. Thecommon ground was lost by the state leadership. For things to change and peaceto return, the culprits of 1987 must be held accountable,” he said.
Lashing out at National Conference and Peoples DemocraticParty, Vakil said, “The lack of developmental is a result of their (NC’s andPDP’s) corrupt politics.”
He claimed that his party will aim to give a sense ofeconomic and social security to the people, who have “suffered” at the hands ofprevious governments. “Our emotion stands strong for the welfare of our ownpeople. We want to be fairly elected to power in order to re-structure thecorrupt and underdeveloped state of affairs,” he said.
Condemning Governor Satya Pal Malik’s recent statement inwhich he said that the militants should target corrupt politicians, Vakil said,”While we (PC) support the Governor’s drive to eradicate corruption, hisutterances are irresponsible and unbecoming of any head of the state.”