- Poor labelled as land grabbers while elites occupy prime land alleges former Chief Minister
Jammu, November 10 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti launched a scathing attack on the National Conference (NC)-Congress coalition government, accusing it of failing to deliver on its promises even after completing one year in office. Addressing a press conference, Mehbooba said that despite receiving a massive mandate in the previous Assembly elections, the government led by Omar Abdullah had failed to bring tangible change in governance or address people’s pressing issues.
She said that voters across Jammu and Kashmir, including areas that had earlier witnessed poll boycotts, came out in large numbers to support democratic change, but their hopes were shattered. “The NC-Congress alliance got about 50 seats, sent MPs to Parliament, and has three members in the Rajya Sabha. Despite such a strong mandate, there is no trace of governance or development,” Mehbooba told reporters.
Questioning Omar Abdullah’s leadership, she alleged that he had remained absent from his constituency since assuming office. “People of Budgam gave him a mandate out of faith and expectation, yet not one of his promises on electricity, gas, ration, or employment has been fulfilled,” she said. Mehbooba accused the NC of misusing administrative machinery for political purposes, claiming that for one Assembly seat, the entire government was operating from Budgam, and every MLA was campaigning door to door.
Turning her attack towards the issue of land encroachments, Mehbooba alleged that the most prominent example of land grabbing in Jammu and Kashmir could be found on Srinagar’s Gupkar Road. “If you want to talk about land grab, let us start with Gupkar. Poor people make small homes on four or five marlas of land, but those who occupy vast stretches of prime property in Srinagar call them land grabbers. After the Indira-Sheikh Accord, land worth crores was leased to the Abdullah family at just one rupee per kanal. That is the real example of land grabbing,” she said, adding that even the house of Dr. Farooq Abdullah figured on the Bathindi forest land list.
Defending her own government’s initiatives, Mehbooba said that the Bill introduced during her tenure was aimed at granting ownership rights to poor families who had been living on small plots for decades. “The intention was not to benefit encroachers but to empower the poor. Those who accuse us of aiding land grabbers must first explain their own history,” she added.
On allegations that the PDP acts in alignment with the BJP, Mehbooba dismissed them as political propaganda. “The National Conference is diverting attention from its failures. They promised free electricity, free gas cylinders, jobs, and relief to employees, yet nothing has changed. Corruption and illegal mining are thriving,” she said.
Referring to the NC’s accusation that the PDP-BJP government was responsible for the unrest in 2016, Mehbooba countered by recalling similar protests during the NC’s rule. “In 2010, there were violent protests after the Machil fake encounter and the Shopian case. Who was in power then? Who approved Afzal Guru’s hanging? Let the people decide who truly destroyed peace in Kashmir,” she remarked.
Expressing solidarity with daily wage employees, she stated that her government had initiated steps for their regularisation. “We registered nearly one lakh daily wagers and framed an SRO policy. I continue to support them on humanitarian grounds,” she said.
Calling for the reopening of traditional trade and travel routes, Mehbooba asserted that Jammu and Kashmir had been “locked in a cage” since the abrogation of Article 370. “This is not only about restoring statehood; it is about reopening our historical and emotional links. I urge the Centre to reopen cross-border routes such as Suchetgarh in Jammu and Kargil-Skardu in Ladakh. These corridors once connected our people and must be revived,” she said, emphasizing that reconciliation and dialogue were essential for lasting peace.