Urges youth not to waste their vote
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Sept 27: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, today urged young voters, especially first-time voters, not to waste their vote, pledging that she will not seek support by playing on the emotions.
Speaking at a public rally in North Kashmir’s Lolab, while campaigning for PDP candidate Advocate Waqarul Haq Khan, son of former Minister Abdul Haq Khan, Iltija emphasized that the PDP has delivered real progress on the ground, unlike the National Conference (NC), which she said has done nothing despite being in power for decades.
“To the young people and first-time voters here, I urge you not to waste your vote. Come out on polling day and vote. I will not seek your vote based on emotions; I won’t deceive you. Politicians may lie, but I won’t. I will ask for your vote based on the work we have done,” she said.
Continuing her criticism of the NC, she accused the party of neglecting Kashmir, particularly North Kashmir, despite being in power for decades.
“Your roads, water supply schemes, and colleges are all due to the PDP. The NC gave Kashmir nothing. They had 60 MLAs over 70 years, yet they failed to deliver for the people. Why would they do any good to people now? They only brought hardship, while the PDP ensured relief,” she said.
Iltija also claimed that the strong support the PDP is receiving has “rattled” the NC, leaving them “frustrated” and resorting to baseless statements. She further asserted that the NC is not going to win.
“They are copycats. NC copied our manifesto, and now they’ve copied our slogan as well. They’re frustrated and rattled by the love and support the PDP is receiving,” she said.
Regarding her visit to Lolab, Iltija admitted she once believed Pahalgam was the most beautiful place in Jammu & Kashmir, but now, her view has changed. “Lolab is so beautiful. For me, it is now the most beautiful place in J&K. The people here are simple and loving,” she added.
Iltija, who has been campaigning aggressively for PDP candidates since the announcement of the Assembly elections in J&K, also highlighted key issues, particularly unemployment, and promised to address them. Earlier, she campaigned for PDP’s Fayaz Ahmad Mir in Kupwara.
“We will also ensure that Lolab has a hospital and a college. But for that to happen, you need to take the first step-come out to vote for our candidate,” she said.
She reiterated that Home Minister Amit Shah must soften his heart towards Kashmir and put an end to the “muscular policy” being implemented in the Valley.
When asked about the 2014 alliance with the BJP and whether it was a mistake, Iltija responded: “It’s not about a mistake. Mufti Sayeed was sincere in the alliance. People understand why we partnered with the BJP, and that’s evident from the support we are receiving. Despite the challenges, we’ve run a strong election campaign.”
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