Srinagar: Former People's Conference leader Junaid Azim Mattoo was on Wednesday elected as the Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for the second time.
"In 2018, I was elected for the first time but in June this year, I lost no-confidence motion. Today, I have made a comeback with a near-absolute majority. I secured 44 votes of the total votes cast, " Matto said after the result declaration.
He further said, "Worthy councillors have chosen me again. They have a lot of expectations from me and I will try my best to meet those expectations."
Earlier, supporters of former deputy Mayor Sheikh Imran staged a protest alleging that "the election process as the selection process" and "murder of democracy."
"Our colleagues were beaten, harassed and thrown out of the voting centre for protesting against the unfair process. They wanted selection and not the election. This is the murder of democracy," Aquib Renzo, a councillor and supporter of Sheikh Imran.
Aquib's colleagues too echoed his views.
"They told us we are going to select Junaid as Mayor. When we opposed this, we were beaten and thrown out by the police. Our clothes too we're torn apart. We will continue to protest."
On the allegations, Mattoo said, "They created chaos. They threw glasses on us. The process was open, not secret. These allegations are coming from those who have corruption cases registered against them and have spent time in jail."
ALSO READ: Roshni act: Jammu and Kashmir govt preparing list of beneficiaries
