- Mehbooba flags unemployment and economic distress, urges people to reassess support for the ruling party
Jammu, 25-04-2026: Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti today launched a sharp political attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, describing him as the “weakest chief minister” and accusing his Government of failing to deliver on major public commitments despite enjoying a substantial mandate. Speaking at a party convention in Khanabal in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Mufti said the office of the Chief Minister demands authority, courage, and decisive action and alleged that the present leadership has not responded effectively to key public concerns.
Addressing party workers and supporters, Mehbooba said the present situation reflects a gap between electoral promises and actual governance. Referring to earlier political assurances, she claimed that commitments made on pressing public issues, including power-related concerns and broader welfare matters, had not translated into meaningful action on the ground. She questioned what relief the present dispensation had actually delivered to the people and said that a government with such a strong mandate should have shown more visible resolve and responsiveness.
The PDP chief also criticized the functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, suggesting that it has not shown the degree of assertiveness that people expected in addressing wider regional and international concerns. In doing so, she sought to contrast the present Assembly’s role with the manner in which legislatures in some other states have taken positions on major issues. Her remarks were aimed at reinforcing the argument that the present political leadership has not fully used its institutional space to reflect public sentiment.
Highlighting her own period in office, Mehbooba Mufti said that her government had faced serious law and order challenges but had still tried to act with restraint and political sensitivity. She referred to decisions taken during her tenure in relation to youth cases and said that instead of opting for harsher legal measures in a sweeping manner, her government had attempted to prevent wider suffering. By invoking that record, she sought to draw a contrast between what she described as the PDP’s ground-level interventions and the present government’s inability to produce comparable outcomes.
On the economic front, Mufti raised concern over unemployment, distress, and the perceived lack of urgency in implementing welfare measures. She claimed that proposals advanced by her party, including measures relating to daily wagers and the protection of economically weaker sections occupying state land, did not receive support. In a strongly worded attack, she accused political rivals, including the ruling National Conference and the BJP, of acting in a coordinated manner when it suited their interests, while rejecting proposals that could have benefited ordinary people.
She also expressed concern over the impact of recent developments on tourism and the local economy, particularly in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident. Describing the broader economic environment as fragile, she appealed to the people to remember the promises that were made to them and assess whether the ruling party had justified the trust placed in it. Her speech repeatedly returned to the theme that a strong mandate has not been matched by strong governance.
Referring to the difficult period following the abrogation of Article 370, Mehbooba said the PDP had endured some of the harshest political consequences but had continued to remain engaged with the people. Striking a note of resilience, she said that after hardship comes ease and urged party workers to continue rebuilding organisational strength. She also encouraged greater participation of educated youth in the upcoming urban local body elections, signalling that the PDP wants to convert public dissatisfaction into renewed political mobilisation.
Meanwhile, PDP leader Iltija Mufti said the party’s revival would begin from south Kashmir, asserting that the PDP continues to enjoy grassroots support in the region. Speaking after the convention, she too accused the National Conference of failing to fulfil its promises and of attempting to deflect criticism by blaming the PDP. Together, the remarks from Mehbooba Mufti and Iltija Mufti made it clear that the PDP is trying to sharpen its opposition pitch by focusing on governance deficits, public discontent and regional aspirations.