Waheed-ur-Rehman Para booked for MCC violation

SRINAGAR — PDP candidate from Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency Waheed-ur-Rehman Para has been booked for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by holding a roadshow without prior permission in southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district last month, officials said on Thursday.

The Srinagar constituency went to polls on May 13, registering about 38 per cent voter turnout which was the second highest in the past three decades. Para is among 24 candidates in the fray for the seat.

The officials said the FIR was lodged against Para on May 8 under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code at Police Station Pulwama on the complaint lodged by nodal officer, MCC and Additional Deputy Commissioner Pulwama.

The PDP leader is accused of holding a road show in the areas of Beighpora, Padgampora, Larkipora, Wankanpora, Goripora, Dangerpora, Jangalnad, Batapora, Dhawatoo, Khandaypora and Panzgam in Pulwama on April 27, without any permission from the authorities concerned.

Quoting a report from the Senior Superintendent of Police, the complainant said the vehicle-bound rally of Para from the PDP office to the Circular Road via Rajpora Chowk, Murran and Peaks Crossing was in violation of the MCC.

The candidate violated the MCC despite requests from SHO (station house officer), Police Station Pulwama and duty magistrate, thereby jeopardizing his security and the security of other persons, the complainant said, adding the delayed response of the PDP district president over the violation was not satisfactory.

Para was also served a notice by the J&K election department earlier this month, objecting to his statement asking youngsters to consider the general elections as a “referendum”.

However, the PDP leader defended his remark, in his response on May 10, and said his statement that the “ensuing election is no less than a referendum” only points towards the importance of the polls.