Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 6: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, today stated that the National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance is just a seat sharing arrangement to gain power.
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Speaking to reporters here today, Mufti said that the alliance is essentially a “seat-sharing arrangement,” alleging that wherever the NC has left a seat for Congress, NC’s own members are openly filing nominations.
“There is no honesty in the alliance. Look who is contesting against the JKPCC president from NC as an Independent. What is happening in Tral? Wherever NC has left a seat for Congress, their people are openly filing nominations with full support from the party cadre,” she said.
The former CM, speaking during the joining ceremony of women’s political leader Shokia at the party headquarters, also said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully reduced the Kashmir issue-first to Article 370, then to Statehood, and now to mere elections.
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“Talking about Statehood is like going for shoes without feet. Those parties that are focusing on Statehood are doing an injustice to the people. For PDP, the J&K issue remains the core issue, and we have done much in the past, whether it was opening roads, initiating dialogue, or advocating for reconciliation,” she said.
She further stated that the J&K issue goes beyond elections and the restoration of Statehood, emphasizing that the PDP wants peace with dignity. “We want the restoration of peace in J&K with dignity, not the silence of a graveyard. Present silence should not be mistaken for peace.”
Referring to her tenure in office, she noted that she ensured the culprits involved in the Kathua rape case were brought to justice and dropped two of her Ministers who, she said, “were part of a rally supporting the rapists.” In the Shopian case, Mufti claimed that instead of booking the culprits, “those who reported the case were thrown into jail.”
Responding to allegations by BJP leader Ram Madhav that certain parties were receiving support from ex-militants during their election campaigns, the PDP chief said that Madhav knows which parties are “blackmailing” surrendered militants and using them.
“In eradicating the culture of surrendered militants, known as Ikhwan, PDP played a key role. They belong to this place, and they have a right to live with dignity. Ultimately, Ram Madhav knows better who these surrendered militants are joining and which party is blackmailing and using them.”
At a separate event, when asked about Omar’s decision to contest the elections after previously stating he wouldn’t, Mufti said it highlights the inconsistency between his words and actions. “Now, he is contesting from two constituencies, and this is what they have been doing to the people since 1947,” she remarked.
Speaking about the role of women in politics and PDP’s plans for the betterment of women in J&K, she said that women have limited involvement in political decision-making.
“During my time, we took several steps for the betterment of women. I revoked the stamp duty on property bought by women, empowering them. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed launched the Ladli Beti Scheme. We will continue to work for women’s empowerment and will ensure a specific percentage of Government jobs in J&K are reserved for women,” she said.
She further added that the majority of people in the country reject communal politics and want the Government to focus on development and progress.
“The people of Uttar Pradesh have taught the BJP a lesson, as seen when they lost the Ayodhya seat during the Lok Sabha elections. People do not want Mandir-Masjid politics; the common man is not interested in all this.”
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