Jammu, Sep 18 (KNO): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and People Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in Kishtwar today barbed accused on each other after, Shagun Parihar, the BJP candidate from Kishtwar assembly segment was allegedly surfaced in controversy for allegedly asking for voter ID cards of Burka-Clad women at a polling booth.
As per detail available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a brief clash surfaced at Bagwan Mohalla polling station over checking voter ID cards of Burka Clad women by a BJP candidate. The BJP candidate was hacked by workers from the PDP along with its contesting Candidate from Kishtwar Firdous Tak.
Security forces were kept on standby near the polling station as police and election authorities worked to defuse the situation. Additional paramilitary forces attempted to remove the PDP workers and their candidate from the scene.
Voting at the Bagwan Mohalla polling station was temporarily halted amid the escalating tensions between BJP and PDP supporters. However, the situation was brought under control after the Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Rajesh Shavan, arrived at the site, and polling resumed.
"The (PDP) candidate came here and said this girl is playing the victim card and trying to get sympathy. I felt bad. I said why would I play the victim card and said you have made me a victim. They tried to push me. PDP and National Conference workers entered the place where voting was taking place...", Parihar said .
In response to the incident, the BJP announced plans to file a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the heckling of their candidate. BJP General Secretary Sunil Sharma confirmed that the party's Jammu and Kashmir unit would be writing to the ECI soon, seeking action against PDP candidate Firdous Tak for the incident involving Shagun Parihar.
Meanwhile, PDP candidate Firdous Tak accused BJP for playing victim card and said that he registered separate FIRs on cops and candidate over assault and
“The BJP has only one card to play in Kishtwar - the victim card. With regard to the incident have filed complaints against SP Iftikar for assault and PSO of a BJP leader for attempt to murder. A separate complaint has been filed against the BJP candidate as well,” Firdous Tak in post on X said—(KNO)