- NC has failed to make any difference in J&K, alleges Mehbooba Mufti
JAMMU, December 21: Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said that the decision taken by her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to form a coalition government with the BJP in 2015 was widely misunderstood and unfairly judged. She maintained that the move was guided by the larger interests of the people of both Jammu and Kashmir regions and aimed at respecting the democratic mandate of that time.
Addressing party workers and members of the public during the PDP’s outreach programme “Gal Baat”, Mehbooba Mufti said her father faced a difficult political choice after the 2014 Assembly elections, when the BJP emerged with a strong mandate in Jammu. She recalled that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed believed it was his responsibility to honour the people’s verdict and provide a stable government, even if it meant bridging wide ideological differences.
She said Mufti Sahib often reflected on how he would respond to the people of Jammu if their mandate was ignored, stressing that his decision was rooted in democratic responsibility rather than political convenience. According to her, the BJP-PDP alliance was formed with the objective of safeguarding Jammu and Kashmir’s interests and ensuring political stability in a sensitive and diverse region.
Referring to the collapse of the coalition in 2018, Mehbooba Mufti said that circumstances changed drastically after her father’s demise. She alleged that commitments made during the alliance, including assurances related to Article 370, were later abandoned. She remarked that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed viewed Jammu and Kashmir as a reflection of India’s diversity and believed that special constitutional arrangements were meant to protect its unique identity.
Turning to present conditions, the PDP president launched a sharp critique of the National Conference-led dispensation, alleging that it has failed to bring any meaningful change on the ground. She said public hardships have increased due to unchecked mining, outsourcing of local businesses, rising unemployment and the growing menace of drug abuse. She expressed disappointment that the formation of an elected government has not resulted in tighter regulation or relief for ordinary citizens.
Mehbooba Mufti also spoke about the political and social atmosphere after the abrogation of Article 370, saying that people in Kashmir are unable to express themselves freely and that intolerance is steadily rising across the country. She emphasised that intolerance is not limited to any one community, but has become a broader issue where questioning authority is increasingly discouraged.
Highlighting cultural concerns, she stressed the need to preserve regional languages such as Dogri and Kashmiri, describing them as vital to maintaining the region’s identity and heritage. She said her father made significant sacrifices for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but regretted that his intentions were neither fully understood nor appreciated across regions.