Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, July 8: Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti today cautioned the Central Government against trying to break her party saying the history was evident that politics of “disruption and manipulation” has never last long even as she called for respecting mandate of the people given in 2014 on the basis of which her father late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had formed Government with the BJP.
In an exclusive interview to the Excelsior on her return to Srinagar from New Delhi, Mehbooba spoke on variety of political issues faced by the State especially after “banner of revolt” raised by some of her party MLAs amidst speculations about formation of new Government in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Everyone must respect the mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in 2014 Assembly elections on the basis of which my father, late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had aligned with the BJP to form first-ever coalition Government in the State,” Mehbooba said, adding the history showed that any attempt to form the Government by breaking the parties has proved futile.
Mehbooba said despite the hartal, several legislators called on her at her residence today to discuss the party affairs and roadmap ahead at a time when Governor’s rule was imposed in the State.
“We discussed variety of issues ranging from people’s problems to political scenario…every issue was taken up and discussed…the meetings were very positive. I hope to meet more senior leaders of the party in the coming days,” the PDP president said.
Mehbooba said any efforts at the level of Centre or State to destabilize any political party just for the sake of Government formation in the State can have serious repercussions and destabilize the State.
“It (any attempt to break the parties) can have serious repercussions and will strengthen the forces, which call for boycott of elections as it will give message that mandate of the people is not being respected,” the former Chief Minister said.
Asserting that the PDP is principle-based party, Mehbooba said there was no threat to existence of the PDP as it was grass-root level party having support of masses in all three regions of Jammu and Kashmir. “The PDP had come to power on the basis of people’s support of all three regions,” she asserted.
Recalling late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s decision in 2014 to align with the BJP, Mehbooba said Mufti Saheb had decided to respect the people’s mandate.
“The PDP had won 28 seats in Kashmir. Similarly, BJP got 25 seats in Jammu. The mandate was such that the PDP-BJP Alliance had become a necessity and we decided to follow the people’s verdict,” she said, adding that in no case the people’s mandate should be disrespected.
Asserting that people were watching situation in Jammu and Kashmir with curiosity, Mehbooba said New Delhi should proceed very cautiously and ensure that faith and trust of the people is not shaken.
“Any wrong move by the Centre can destabilize the State,” she cautioned.
This was Mehbooba’s first major reaction after six PDP legislators including five MLAs and an MLC revolted against the party leadership. Initially, there were reports that the BJP, former coalition partner of the PDP, could be behind the rebellion in the PDP but BJP general secretary and party’s pointman on Jammu and Kashmir, Ram Madhav yesterday categorically stated that the BJP stands for Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir for return of peace.
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