Srinagar, Apr 07: Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP) on Sunday announced party president Mehbooba Mufti among three candidates for Lok Sabha seats.
Addressing the media persons at the party headquarters here, the Chairman of PDP’s parliamentary board, Mohammad Sartaj Madani, said three strong candidates have been fielded by the party for three constituencies.
He said the PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has been nominated as the candidate for the Anantnag-Pirpanjal seat. Youth PDP president Waheed ur Rehman Parra and former Rajya Sabha Member Fayaz Ahmad Mir will be the party’s candidates for Central Kashmir and north Kashmir’s seats respectively, he announced.
On the occasion, Mehbooba Mufti said, “The people in Jammu and Kashmir have been facing a lot of problems, especially in the last five years under the BJP. Our identity, rights, and dignity have been seriously threatened.”
She said the PDP’s candidate for central Kashmir, Waheed ur Rehman Parra is “someone who represents the struggles of young people facing problems under the BJP” in Jammu and Kashmir. It is important to support candidates like Parra, who show how young people stay strong during tough times, she said. “It is crucial to stand up against this oppression in a democratic way. People should speak up about their problems without fear and come together to fight against injustice. Despite facing personal and political challenges, we will continue representing the hopes and dreams of her people.”
Mehbooba added, “We need brave people in Parliament who will speak up for the feelings and struggles of our region to the whole country. Everyone should come together and support each other, no matter what their religion or background is. Everyone should stand together to protect the identity and dignity of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The former chief minister asked the members of other parties like the National Conference and Congress to join her efforts in “ensuring our region’s voice is heard against the ongoing problems”.
Responding to queries about her campaign promises, Mufti reiterated that her voice for the people served as her manifesto, underlining her unwavering dedication to amplifying their concerns and aspirations. “Meri Awaaz Hi Mera Manshoor Hai,” she said.
When asked about PDP’s alliances in INDIA, Mufti talked about how her party is supporting Congress on two seats in Jammu without any conditions. She emphasized the importance of working together against the BJP’s “divisive plans”. Unity is crucial in protecting the core principles of our nation, she said.
“We are backing Congress without any strings attached because we think it’s essential to stand together to protect our country’s democratic and constitutional values,” she said.
Mehbooba said that the Congress manifesto is a detailed plan to tackle the social and political issues made worse by the BJP’s time in power. Youth are struggling under the current government and voters can make smart decisions,” she added.
“Congress stands strongest against BJP’s backward mission. Their manifesto is the best in the last seventy years. Calling it separatist, as the Prime Minister did, means supporting unemployment, poverty, inequality, and anti-minority policies. We support this manifesto and hope people will back it for the country’s good,” she said.
Mufti said she felt bad because the PAGD allies could not stick together, mostly because the NC made decisions without talking to everyone else. “I wish it could have worked together better. It would have been good if they had chosen candidates together, considering the tough situation people are in. But because of what the NC did, the PDP had to go its own way,” she said.
“There was a lack of collaboration and deliberation. The plight of people warranted to field joint candidates, but the NC’s actions left no option for PDP but to proceed independently,” Mehbooba said.
“My message to everyone in the area—from Anantnag to Rajouri and Poonch—is that we need to unite because we’re going through a tough time. These days, speaking out has become dangerous. If someone speaks up, they’re called anti-national,” she said.
When asked about BJP leader Tarun Chugh meeting with People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone and Apni party founder Altaf Bukhari, Mehbooba responded mysteriously, saying, “You forgot about Azad Sahib.”
“Democracy is about sharing ideas, and it’s the people who decide. I don’t have any personal issues with them,” she added.
