Around 300 defeated candidates in the Valley have joined hands to form the Peoples Action Committee. Their common grievance: the withdrawal of security cover has put their lives in danger.

“No sooner did we lose the polls than the security cover provided by the state administration was lifted,” said Muzaffar Ahmad Shah of Awami National Conference, who will head the Action Committee. “This has put our lives in danger and increased the threat perception.”

Shah warned that they would file a murder case against the J&K government in case of any attack on candidates.

The defeated candidates accused the government of “using” them. “We were treated like tissuepaper, used and thrown off,” said Mufti Nazeem-ud-din of Save Srinagar Front, who unsuccessfully contested against National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah in Hazratbal.

The new alliance also alleged that the elections were “stage-managed” and “rigged.” The Committee that comprises several local and national political parties — including the Awami National Conference, Save Srinagar Front, Lok Janshakti Party and the Nationalist Congress Party — and Independents has threatened to launch a “peaceful agitation” if the Election Commission failed to address their concerns.