Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 30: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today said that PDP is the only party in Jammu and Kashmir that can fight against the assault being launched on multiple fronts to erode J&K’s core identity.
Addressing road shows in Anantnag district, Mufti said that the massive participation of people in her rallies is proof that PDP lives in people’s hearts and represents their aspirations.
The PDP president said that the ongoing elections in J&K are not for any post or any chair but to send a strong voice to the Parliament that could represent the voice of the disenfranchised people and tell it to the face of those at the helm that what was done on August 5, 2019, was wrong and whatever was snatched away from us must be returned with interest.
Mufti said that the ongoing polls are about sending that voice to the Parliament that could expose plundering J&K’s rich wealth, its resources, its jobs, its lands, and more importantly its unique identity.
“We will not allow that to happen at all costs. Parliament is the podium where we can make our voices heard and expose the wrongs committed against our people since 2019,” she said.
The PDP President also highlighted the immense sacrifices rendered by her workers toward her cause, stating that it is a poor party worker who, in spite of his financial constraints, is funding her election campaign.
“Those who got the top posts of ministers in the past due to PDP left me, but my workers remained by my side even in the midst of the most tumultuous times. Even when I was jailed for the longest period compared to other political leaders post Article 370, my workers remained by my side. Even after my release, my family was hounded, my aged mother summoned by ED, our passports were confiscated, they didn’t even spare my father’s graveyard – that was also raided, I was made homeless,” she said.
“Mufti Sahib didn’t leave an estate for me behind but I can tell this with pride that my worthy and sumptuous possession are you. You have remained by my side and I promise you I will never let you down,” she said.
The PDP president appealed workers of the National Conference and Congress to understand the gravity of the situation and support the PDP so that the people’s just voice could reach the Parliament.
On the sidelines of the roadshow while speaking to reporters, Mufti termed the present situation extremely worrisome for the entire country as well as for J&K in particular.
“The government is snatching possessions of poor people and giving it to a select few capitalists. This is lethal for people, and if we do not wake up now, it is going to be an end of imagination. The way J&K’s core identity is being eroded, it is PDP alone that can provide a bulwark against the current tirade. The massive support is proof that PDP lives in people’s hearts and represents their aspirations,” she said.