Ex-NC leader Kabuli alleges 1987 Kashmir poll rigging, targets Farooq Abdullah

SRINAGAR — Former National Conference parliamentarian and then-NC election in-charge Abdul Rashid Kabuli has alleged that he personally witnessed rigging of the 1987 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, claiming National Conference candidates were instructed to be declared winners even when they had not secured the required votes.

In a video interview with the news agency KNT, Kabuli alleged that the manipulation was carried out at the counting stage and claimed that all counting officers were assembled before then-NC president Farooq Abdullah and instructed to declare NC candidates victorious regardless of the actual votes polled.

Kabuli cited the Amira Kadal constituency as an example, alleging that NC candidate Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah was losing to Muslim United Front candidate Molvi Mohammad Yousuf — now known as Syed Salahuddin — but was nevertheless declared the winner.

“I was in charge of elections for the National Conference and am a witness to how the elections were rigged,” Kabuli said.

He claimed he objected when Shah was declared the winner despite allegedly trailing the Muslim United Front candidate, but was told by then-NC General Secretary Sheikh Nazir that the manipulation had to be carried out to “save the foundation of the party.”

Also Read ✨ 94% Match

When a Black Hole Whispers to the World’s Thinnest Material

Kabuli alleged the process extended beyond a single constituency, claiming counting officers had been given blanket instructions regarding NC candidates.

“It was a rigged election that devastated Kashmir,” he said, describing the 1987 election as having consequences far beyond the electoral process itself.

Allegations against Farooq Abdullah

Kabuli also alleged that former chief minister and NC president Farooq Abdullah was driven by a desire to retain political power, and claimed the interests of the people were compromised for the sake of his position.

“He was power hungry, cared a fig for the people and clung to his chair,” Kabuli alleged.

Also Read ✨ 94% Match

13 Years On: Naseem Shafaie, Kashmir’s first woman Sahitya Akademi awardee, reflects on poetry and empowerment

The former NC parliamentarian additionally alleged that the Government of India had been willing to release Kashmiri separatist leader Maqbool Bhat, but that Farooq Abdullah became the biggest obstacle to this. Kabuli said that, as a Member of Parliament, he had personally attempted to persuade the Government of India to secure Bhat’s release, but alleged that Abdullah opposed the effort.

He further alleged that Abdullah sent the then Director General of Police to Delhi with instructions that Bhat’s mortal remains should be buried inside Tihar Jail following his execution.

Kabuli claimed that even Begum Abdullah had advised Farooq Abdullah against this course of action, telling him that if he resigned, he would instead gain greater sympathy and support among the people.

Kabuli said the developments surrounding the 1987 elections and the subsequent political decisions had left a deep imprint on Kashmir’s political history.