‘LS polls not fight between NC, PDP’
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Apr 17: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said that what happened in 2019 was an earthquake for J&K, the tremors of which are still being felt.
Addressing a gathering held as part of her election campaigning in south Kashmir’s Kond in Kulgam district, Mufti said that the Government is after the resources of J&K, which include jobs and other assets, urging people not to remain silent.
“2019 was an earthquake and that has not stopped yet. They are after our resources, jobs. If we stay quiet, the youngsters won’t find anything in the coming times,” she said.
Mufti, who is contesting the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency in the Lok Sabha polls, noted that in the entire country, J&K has the highest rate of unemployment and highlighted “deliberate frauds” carried out in recruitments. “It is a conspiracy not to allow youngsters to have jobs.”
The former Chief Minister emphasized that the Lok Sabha election is not a fight between NC and PDP but is all about “who will speak for the people and who will not.”
She expressed her wish for it to be a united fight for the betterment of people; however, she criticized the NC for tagging the PDP as “non-existent.”
“I had told them in Mumbai that the decision on the J&K seats will be carried out by Dr. Farooq, but they (NC) said that PDP stands nowhere. If they had to make a decision, they could have called me up, telling me that NC fighting would be in the favour of people; I would have let that happen for the greater good,” she said.
The PDP President stressed that the 2024 Lok Sabha election is a test, urging people to decide if they want their voices to reach Parliament. “You must vote for the right person; if you feel that there is anyone better than me, you better choose them,” she said.
Warning people of potential consequences, she said: “The way the Gujjar, Bakkerwal were pushed out of their places, the same will happen to you; they have a bigger plan,” adding that J&K is a laboratory where every test is carried out.
She mentioned that when she was the CM, she urged people not to resort to violence, “but you didn’t listen to me and they toppled the Government. Now, there is a need to speak; silence is good for the dead. As long as you are alive, you must speak up, raise your voice.”
Mufti said that they (Govt) are claiming that the situation is good in Kashmir, overlooking the issues faced by the people. “Tourists come and click pictures, they say everything is good, but who knows what the people are facing, the pain they are enduring”, she added.
Expressing gratitude to party workers, she said: “There is no doubt that BJP engineered defection of our leaders, but I salute my workers who have stood firm.”
Mufti urged people to vote, stating: “Today’s vote is going to be for yourself, not me; for your voice, for the safeguarding of the future and assets.”
Later, while talking to the media, she clarified: “We are not out to speak against any political leader; Kashmir is facing a tough time, and we better speak about that.”
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