Srinagar, Dec 09: J&K People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP) on Monday welcomed its newly appointed Vice President, Sartaj Madni, and Chairman of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), Abdul Rehman Veeri, at the party headquarters.
The event witnessed an overwhelming gathering of senior leaders, district presidents and senior colleagues who felicitated the leadership for their new responsibilities.
In his address, Madni thanked the participants for their warm reception and reiterated the party’s resolve to work collectively for public welfare. “Together, we will uplift PDP and make it the true voice of the people’s aspirations,” he affirmed.
Senior party leader Khurshid Alam lauded the “farsightedness” and “decisiveness” of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti for her “strategic choices”. He expressed optimism that this leadership decision would prove transformative for the party in the long run.
Highlighting Sartaj Madni’s capacity and vast experience, Alam said that his appointment would mark the beginning of a new era for the party, fortifying its foundation and vision.
The meeting also saw speeches from senior leaders including Basharat Bukhari, Abdul Rehman Veeri, Asiea Naqash, Abdul Qayoom Bhatt, Mohammad Yaseen, Arif Laigaroo and Bashir Ahmad Baig.
Our fight is for what was ‘snatched’ in Aug 2019: Sartaj Madni
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senior leader Sartaj Madni on Monday reiterated that the party’s primary struggle is not merely for the restoration of statehood but for reclaiming the identity and autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir that was “snatched away” on August 5, 2019.
Addressing a press conference, Madni described the abrogation of Article 370 as a pivotal event that undermined the region’s unique identity and status. “Statehood is a small issue in comparison to what we lost on August 5, 2019. Our identity, our dignity, and the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir were taken away that day. Until we regain what was ours, statehood alone won’t solve the problem,” he said.
“The Prime Minister and the Home Minister have said multiple times that statehood will be restored. If they are committed to it, why hasn’t it happened yet?” he added.
The PDP leader clarified that the party’s fight extends beyond statehood, aiming to restore the pre-August 2019 status of Jammu and Kashmir. “Our fight is for what was snatched from us—our rights, our identity, and our sense of belonging within the Indian Union. Statehood will only hold meaning when these fundamental issues are addressed,” he said.
Madni said the PDP’s fight is centred on restoring its political and constitutional rights. He also called the recent surveys of Muslim worship places “part of divisive politics and governance failures of the BJP”. “Instead of addressing unemployment, inflation, and other pressing issues, they are diverting the nation’s attention by stoking religious sentiments. This is nothing but a politics of distraction,” he remarked.
Sartaj also questioned the efficiency of the Union Territory administration, pointing out its limitations in addressing the people’s grievances. “CM knew what his powers would be in UT. Our former chief minister once said he would not contest elections because he didn’t want to stand at the Lieutenant Governor’s door for something as trivial as a transfer. This speaks volumes about the governance structure we are currently subjected to,” he said. (KNS)
