Mehbooba Mufti Vows to Defend Article 370, Stop BJP from Burying Kashmir Issue in Upcoming Polls
Srinagar, 15-09-2024: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti recently emphasized that her party is contesting the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections not merely to focus on developmental projects, but with a larger goal of preventing the BJP from silencing the Kashmir issue and permanently nullifying Article 370. Speaking to reporters, Mufti expressed concern over the BJP’s narrative, highlighting that despite its claims of improving the situation in the region, the party has failed to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir for the past 10 years. This delay, she said, has led to widespread frustration among the people, who feel ignored and suffocated by the absence of a functional government.
Mufti underscored that while developmental issues such as the construction of roads and drains are important, the PDP’s primary objective is to ensure that the political and constitutional rights of the people are not undermined. She accused the BJP of trying to bury the Kashmir issue and relegate it to the background, while forcing the public discourse to focus only on elections. “We believe that resolving the Kashmir issue is essential, and we will not allow it to be sidelined,” Mufti said firmly.
When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism of the political dynasties in Jammu and Kashmir, specifically targeting the Abdullah, Mufti, and Gandhi families, she deflected the question by pointing out the unfulfilled promises of the BJP-led central government. She remarked, “The Prime Minister had promised Rs 15 lakh in every citizen’s account and two crore jobs annually. Have those promises been fulfilled? What response can I give to his remarks when such basic promises remain unmet?”
Mufti also shared her vision for governance if the PDP is voted back into power. One of the party’s key priorities would be to fast-track the recruitment process for around one lakh government jobs, ensuring that the process is transparent and fair. She also vowed to regularize the jobs of daily wagers and create employment opportunities by encouraging multinational companies to invest in the region, thereby addressing the growing unemployment crisis in Jammu and Kashmir.
