Mehbooba alleges attempts to keep her away from Parliament

Anantnag, Apr 08: Day after being nominated as a candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag Rajouri parliamentary constituency, former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Monday visited her father’s grave in Bijbehara, Anantnag, to offer prayers.
Speaking to reporters here, Mufti, without naming any particular party or person, said they aim to keep her away from Parliament, fearing the genuine voice reaching there will create problems for them.
She alleged that Jammu and Kashmir is currently grappling with significant challenges and lamented the precarious political situation of Kashmir. “We have a duty to safeguard our identity,” she said.
“I have hope in my people – be it South Kashmir or Pir Panjal, where I have been to every village through thick and thin. I have every time, as per my capacity, helped the people to come out of their miseries,” she added.
Responding to questions about her contest with Ghulam Nabi Azad, she said, “In a democracy, anyone can compete with anyone; one can’t stop anyone from contesting. It’s okay.”
Regarding the heightened attention on the Anantnag Rajouri seat, Mufti remarked, “Since 2019, if any party was targeted the most, it is PDP. Some of our leaders were either blackmailed to leave PDP. Since 2019, I have consistently raised my voice against oppression, despite facing severe targeting along with my family. However, I remained steadfast.”
The PDP Chief added, “They fear that my voice reaching Parliament will be their misery. They fear the true situation of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh reaching Parliament, which would expose the false sense of normalcy they are projecting. That is why they want to keep me out of Parliament.”
The former CM also expressed concern about the Janipur incident in Jammu. She alleged that a tribal girl was harassed by some goons and her family members were beaten while trying to save her. “I believe it’s an injustice and oppression for which I have consistently raised my voice. I have a voice and will continue to raise it,” she said.