Srinagar, Oct 12 (KNO): Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Kumar Sharma on Monday termed the alleged rigging of the 1987 Assembly elections as the biggest case of vote theft in the country and said the Abdullah family must answer questions surrounding the polls that brought Farooq Abdullah to power.
Speaking to reporters, Sharma, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the 1987 elections remained a symbol of electoral malpractice and that the Abdullah family should respond to allegations linked to those polls.
"If the allegation of vote theft is to be placed on someone, it is on the 1987 rigging. Farooq Abdullah became Chief Minister after votes were allegedly stolen," he said.
Sharma also referred to a district commissioner named Khaliq, alleging that legislators elected during that period were popularly known as "Khaliq-made MLAs".
He further accused the Congress of a history of electoral malpractice in Jammu and Kashmir while claiming that elections held under former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were conducted fairly.
Reacting to the INDIA bloc's campaign against alleged electoral irregularities, Sharma questioned its criticism of electronic voting machines (EVMs), asking why the electoral process was being challenged after opposition parties had participated in elections under the same system.
Referring to earlier remarks by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Sharma said the National Conference leader had previously praised the conduct of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and reported no widespread booth-level irregularities.
He said opposition leaders should clarify their current objections and position on the electoral process.
Sharma said political parties had every right to protest but should do so without disrupting public life.
He criticised road blockades and other forms of disruption, saying people needed access to schools, hospitals, workplaces and businesses.
"People have to go to school, hospitals and work. Roads cannot be blocked in a way that disrupts normal life," he said.
He suggested demonstrations be held at designated venues such as Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan or stadiums instead of public roads.
Sharma said protests should not obstruct patients, students or businesses, and urged police to ensure law and order is maintained.
Responding to National Conference president Farooq Abdullah's remarks that Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would never be enforced in Kashmir, Sharma said it would be implemented across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)