31-07-2023 : On the 24th foundation day of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), party president Mehbooba Mufti made significant revelations about the formation of the government in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015. She claimed that the PDP founder, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, had laid down a precondition before Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the government formation, seeking an assurance that Article 370 of the Constitution would not be revoked by the Centre. According to Mufti, her father was not driven by a hunger for power but aimed to alleviate the problems and troubles faced by Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba Mufti recounted how Mufti Sayeed, after winning 28 seats in the 2014 Assembly polls, met with Prime Minister Modi and presented a list of conditions for government formation. One of the crucial assurances he sought from the BJP-led government at the Centre was to maintain the integrity of Article 370. This precondition served as a firm binding on the BJP, as it secured their commitment to not tamper with Article 370. However, Mufti alleged that the BJP later reneged on its commitments and attempted to impose pressure on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Taking a strong stance against the BJP’s agenda, Mehbooba Mufti emphasized the importance of unity among all communities in the region. She urged Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Gujjars, and Paharis to stand united against the BJP’s tactics. Mufti firmly stated that they would not give in to the BJP’s demands and would continue their fight for the preservation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
Mufti also highlighted her father’s principled approach during his tenure as the chief minister. She recalled how Mufti Sayeed, despite having only 16 MLAs in the 2002 Assembly polls, insisted on holding talks with Pakistan and separatists before forming the government. He firmly believed that meaningful dialogue was essential to resolve the issues faced by Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, Mufti praised her father’s acceptance of Indira Gandhi’s decision in 1975 to bring back Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah into the mainstream, demonstrating his commitment to the unity of the region with India.
During Mufti Sayeed’s first term as chief minister, notable progress was made on the reconciliation and development fronts. Talks were held with the Hurriyat and the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was re-opened, paving the way for development initiatives. Mufti questioned the BJP’s actions regarding the special constitutional provisions for Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that their measures had not achieved the desired results but rather alienated the local population.
She accused the BJP of attempting to replicate the Manipur model across the entire country and called on opposition parties to unite against this agenda. Mufti expressed concerns about the ongoing ethnic clashes in Manipur and warned that the BJP’s intentions could have wider repercussions if not countered effectively.
Mufti also criticized the government’s provision for nominating Kashmiri migrants to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly instead of reserving seats for the community. She called for the reservation of seats and expressed support for Sikh representation as well. Mufti firmly stated that her party is not the problem but the solution to the issues faced by the region. She urged the party cadre to prepare for the upcoming panchayat and local bodies elections, emphasizing the importance of serving the people through these platforms.