PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti Criticizes National Conference’s Decision, Deems PAGD Reduced to a “Joke

Mufti criticized the NC’s decision, labeling it as “disappointing” and asserting that it dealt a setback to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. She pointed out Omar Abdullah’s statement regarding the PDP being excluded from the alliance, placing blame on the NC for breaking the unity of the PAGD. Mufti emphasized that the alliance, which once held promise, was now reduced to a mere mockery by the actions of the NC.

The National Conference declared its intention to contest all three seats in the Kashmir valley, while urging the Congress to contest on two seats in the Jammu region. Additionally, the NC proposed the selection of a consensus candidate for the Ladakh seat. Jammu and Kashmir comprises five Lok Sabha seats, two from the Jammu region, and one from Ladakh. In the previous elections, the NC secured victory in all three valley seats, while the BJP emerged triumphant in the two Jammu seats and the sole Ladakh seat.

Despite the rift within the PAGD caused by the NC’s decision, Mufti affirmed that the PDP remained committed to the INDIA bloc. She stated that the party would engage in discussions with the Congress regarding future strategies for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Mufti emphasized the importance of collaborative decision-making within the party and expressed regret over the fracture in unity within the PAGD, a coalition that was painstakingly nurtured over five years.

Mufti lamented the lack of consultation by the NC leadership, highlighting that had discussions taken place, the PDP would have accommodated the NC’s desire to contest all three valley seats. She criticized the NC for making a unilateral decision without engaging in dialogue, attributing the fracture in the alliance to the actions of a member party, a feat she noted the BJP failed to achieve.