Kulgam, Sep 10: Senior National Conference (NC) leader and party’s State Secretary, Sakina Itoo on Sunday said the current situation in Jammu & Kashmir is a result of “politically wrong decisions” made during and after the 2014 elections by the people.
These decisions were influenced by voters who were misled by a political party’s promise that voting for the PDP would keep the BJP away from power in Kashmir, she said.
Addressing a party convention in Manzgam village of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, Sakina expressed regret over the choices made by the people of the valley, terming it “a mistake that led to present consequences”.
She mentioned that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had assured Kashmiris that voting for his party would prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party from gaining a foothold in Kashmir, but the opposite occurred.
Itoo expressed hope that in future elections, the people of Kashmir would make “more informed choices” and avoid “repeating the same errors”.
The NC leader fervently dismissed the notion that women leaders lack the requisite qualifications for political leadership. Drawing inspiration from the legacy of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, she emphasised the need to challenge and redefine prevailing narratives about women in leadership positions.
“My personal journey led me from a medical profession to a political career. It was unforeseen circumstances that compelled me to redirect my path towards public service and for a larger good,” she said.
Sakina said the memory of her father, Wali Mohammad Itoo, changed her path towards the footsteps of his legacy. She said the family’s inner struggle and the weight of expectation urged her to step into the political arena, carrying on the legacy her late father had left behind.
In her address, she said the surge of support for the National Conference in the political landscape in Noorabad has grown manifold. An increasing number of individuals have chosen to align themselves with the party, drawn by its unwavering commitment to uphold the democratic will of the people, she said.
“We have an open invitation to others, urging them to join the ranks in the collective battle against divisive forces that threaten the social fabric of the region,” Itoo said.
On the removal of the name ‘Sher-e-Kashmir’ from the convocation centre, Sakina said, “Sher-e-Kashmir continues to reside in the hearts of the people, and merely removing his name from a building would not achieve anything substantial.”
“Sher-e-Kashmir granted people the rights to express themselves, own land, and even endure extended periods of incarceration – privileges that this current government has withheld from the people of J&K,” she said, adding that the promise of elections and the opportunity for the people to choose their representatives have been continuously deferred.
