We have got largest vote share in bypolls: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Apr 27 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti today said it was heartening for her party to have secured the largest vote share despite managing to win only one seat in the by-elections to three Assembly constituencies of Pattan, Sangrama and Rafiabad held on April 24.

In a statement here, she expressed gratitude to the electorate of Rafiabad, Pattan and Sangrama constituencies and complimented the people of Pattan for defeating the ''machinations of divisive forces who tried to seek votes by resorting to politics of polarisation''.

''The huge vote share secured by the PDP proves that the party's credibility is gaining ground among the masses. On the basis of this mass support, the PDP would go to the people with a fresh momentum and reach out to them in every nook and corner of the state with its programmes,'' Ms Mufti said.

Despite being a new political party, the PDP had emerged as a strong force across the state and its policies, programmes and performance were being acknowledged by the people, she added.

The PDP President said the vested interests had ''ganged up'' against her party in these by-elections.

''But with their defeat, lines have clearly been drawn for the PDP which will go ahead with its pro-people agenda,'' she added.

Ms Mufti said the huge voter turnout in the April 24 by-elections in all the three constituencies demonstrated that the people of the Kashmir Valley have got freedom from fear.

After free and fair Assembly elections of 2002, the first bold participation of voters in a democratic process was witnessed in the last civic elections when almost 80 per cent of the urban electorate participated with great enthusiasm in those polls, she added.

''The by-polls have confirmed that the growing participation of the people in democratic process is no fluke. The PDP is satisfied that the process initiated by it to give freedom of choice and dignity of life has now been consolidated,'' Ms Mufti said.

UNI AG JN BST1807