Except PDP, all parties, independents supported by ‘big wigs’: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Sep 9: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti Monday said that except for her party, all the political parties including National Conference as well as Congress are being supported and backed by the big wigs.
Mehbooba while addressing the media here, said, “I want to inform the people of Kashmir that except for PDP, all other political parties including NC, Congress, AIP and other independent candidates are being backed and supported by big wigs.”
“The independent candidates and AIP are being funded by the big political powers,” she said. Lashing out at AIP, Mehbooba added, “Although Engineer Sheikh Abdul Rashid is in Jail, I wonder who is behind and supporting Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) financially.” “Yesterday, a PDP worker was beaten ruthlessly by some goons of AIP and no action is being taken. If the same would have been done by any PDP member or worker, I think all party members would have been sent to jail,” she said.
Mehbooba further said, “I want to tell the government that if they are making AIP a proxy party and if they are giving them full support financially and other means, they shall inform us directly so that we can plan accordingly.” “I urge the people of Jammu and Kashmir not to fall for the proxy political parties. I want to make people believe that a big power is backing them who want to divide the votes. Their main target is PDP and they are aware that PDP have been standing with those who have been sent to jails in past five years,” she said. (KNO)