Scores of candidates who have filed nomination papers for DDC elections in Kashmir Valley Friday alleged that they have been ‘caged’ and not allowed to campaign freely.
These candidates said that after filing the nomination papers they were shifted to a hotel and are not being allowed to campaign in their respective constituencies.
“I have been virtually locked up in a Srinagar hotel (name withheld) and not allowed to campaign in my constituency. Four to five candidates are being allowed to campaign together which is troublesome,” Nisar Ahmed Sheikh, an independent candidate for Khag Budgam constituency said.
He said candidates from BJP and even NC are being allowed to campaign but independents are barred. “This is injustice and I think these are elections by name only,” he said.
Sheikh said every time they raise the issue with the authorities they are being asked to maintain silence citing security reasons.
“How can Independent candidates make a mark in these elections when they have been locked up in hotels and are not provided security and vehicles,” he questioned and sought the intervention of Election Commission.
Similar concerns were raised from a candidate from Kulgam who said he along with other candidates has been locked up in a hotel located in Srinagar uptown.
“I feel sorry for filing nomination papers,” Muhammad Younis said.