Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah landed into a fresh controversy after he alleged that the People's Democratic Party (PDP) was bribing women panchayat members with make-up kits ahead of the Legislative Council Elections. Terming the statement as an "insult to women", state's women panchayat members have taken to streets in Srinagar demanding a public apology from the Chief Minister.
A large number of women members from Ganderbal - Omar's home constituency - took out a protest march at Beehama Chowk near the national highway connecting Srinagar with Leh. "Omar's remark is an insult to women members who have fought the battle from within and outside to take part in the democratic process and work at the grassroots level for the betterment of people," a protesting panchayat member Ayesha said, asking the Chief Minister to withdraw his comment.
She said the members are ready to resign if the Chief Minister can prove that they have taken any make-up kits from the PDP. The panchayat members are wise enough to vote for a suitable candidate and they do not need to be taught whom to support, she asserted.
Addressing a gathering in Ganderbal on November 29, Omar had alleged that the PDP was luring women panchayat members by providing them make-up kits to secure their support in the forthcoming legislative council elections in the state. Refuting his allegations, the PDP on Friday criticised the Chief Minister's statement saying the remark intended to discourage women of the state from being empowered and assigned the much-deserved political space.
(With additional information from PTI)
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