Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today said that she expects the new Government to heal the “wounds” of the people and “condemn” the decision taken on August 5, 2019.
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Speaking to reporters after the oath-taking ceremony of the new UT Government led by Omar Abdullah, Mufti said the people of J&K have faced a “tough” time, especially after 2019, and noted that they have high hopes from the new Government.
“It is a great day for J&K as people have finally been able to elect their Government after several years. They have elected a stable Government, hoping it will heal their wounds and resolve the daily issues they face,” she said.
Mufti added that J&K is going through a “tough time,” particularly in light of the events of five years ago. “People have suffered, and we hope the new Government will work to make a difference.”
The PDP chief emphasized that the people have given a mandate to the National Conference and expect them to address the daily issues they face while sending a clear message of rejection regarding the decision made on August 5.
“People hope their problems will be resolved and that the Government will pass a resolution rejecting what happened in 2019,” she said.
In addition to passing the resolution, Mufti said people hope the new Government will also address issues such as unemployment, electricity shortages and drug addiction.
“People expect the Government to pull them out of their difficulties, as they have given their mandate with the hope that their wounds will be healed and the wrong decision made in 2019 will be condemned on the floor of the House.”
Inside the venue, the PDP chief was seen walking alongside Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who was introducing her to his family members. On her way to her seat, she also greeted several INDIA bloc leaders invited to the oath-taking ceremony, exchanging pleasantries.
It is worth noting that Mehbooba did not contest the recently held elections, as she believed the Government would function like a “Municipality” without real powers.
During her party’s campaign, she repeatedly emphasized that she had been a “powerful” Chief Minister who made “bold decisions” and would not be able to function effectively under the Union Territory setup.
PDP’s winning candidate from Pulwama, Waheed Ur Rehman Parra, who defeated NC’s Muhammad Khalil Bandh, also stated that the people have high expectations from the new Government, emphasizing that it should deliver on the promises made to them.
“Our prayers are with them. We now have a Government after a long gap, and we hope they will work towards the restoration of J&K’s special status. We are optimistic about it,” he said after the swearing-in ceremony at SKICC.
Meanwhile, Mehbooba’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, who lost the Srigufwara-Bijbehara Assembly seat to NC’s Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri by nearly 9,700 votes, also hoped that the new Government would do “justice” to the people’s mandate, noting that the people of J&K finally have a Government after years of waiting.
In a post on ‘X’, Iltija wrote: “J&K will finally have an elected Government after an excruciatingly long wait of six years. Best wishes to Omar sahab, and I hope they do justice to the overwhelming mandate and trust people have placed in them.”
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