Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 31: Stating that people did not accept the J&K Apni Party’s agenda during the Lok Sabha elections, the PDP general secretary and candidate for the Assembly elections from Pahalgam, Rafi Ahmad Mir, today said that they suffered setbacks and did not achieve the expected results despite working against all odds.
In an exclusive interview with Excelsior, Mir explained that what they anticipated during the Lok Sabha elections did not materialize, as people were led to believe that “JKAP was working for Delhi.”
He also emphasized that a significant “game plan” was at play, contributing to the challenges the party faced.
“What we expected didn’t happen. We are just four years old, competing against decades-old parties. We worked against all odds, but people did not accept our agenda. We were also labeled as the BJP’s B-team, which caused further damage,” he said.
He added that during the elections, a situation was created that prevented them from achieving their goals. “There was a game plan in play which posed challenges and caused damage; moreover, people were told that we were working for Delhi.”
However, Mir expressed that the party is now focusing on constituency-based issues and is working to mobilize people in their favor by promising to resolve long-standing local issues.
“In the last two months, and even now, I have tried to reach out to people on the issues faced by Pahalgam, stressing the need to resolve them. I have been urging people to support me for the betterment of the community. At the same time, I am encouraged by the response I am getting,” he said.
Regarding the NC-Congress alliance, PDP leader termed it a mere “eyewash” intended to deceive people, stressing that “NC knows the tricks. BJP and NC already have some agreement.”
“Those who brought BJP here are now talking about pushing them out; those who introduced AFSPA are now speaking against it. It’s all up to the people now-they have to choose wisely and give change a chance,” he said.
Speaking about his constituency, he said Pahalgam continues to lag behind, where people are poor and illiterate, noting that he has provided employment to nearly 3,000 households in the area.
“It is a beautiful place, but when we talk about its interiors, it remains underdeveloped. During my tenure, I constructed 22 roads under PMGSY and ensured connectivity in various areas. More importantly, I helped provide employment to people,” he said.
“This constituency lacks a college and an SDH; people face hardships on many fronts. There is much that needs to be done here. When it comes to delivering, I have fought against Mehbooba Mufti and Mufti Sayeed. Defeat has never deterred me from working for the people,” he added.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
