Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday criticized the National Conference (NC) for allegedly ignoring the issues of merit and reservations, despite having three Members of Parliament (MPs) and 50 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Addressing to press, Mehbooba said, “Merit has become the biggest casualty. Students are left questioning why they should work hard or strive to be deserving when their efforts do not lead to opportunities.” She expressed concern over the narrowing scope for deserving candidates, pointing out that this issue has remained unresolved despite promises made during elections.
Recalling the faith people placed in the National Conference during the parliamentary elections, Mehbooba stated, “People voted for NC, hoping they would address this problem in Parliament or at least raise their voice. However, more than a year has passed since their MPs were elected, and not a single MP has spoken about the injustices faced by merit-based candidates.
The former Chief Minister also highlighted the significant support NC received in the Assembly elections, especially from youth, on the promise of rationalizing the reservation system to ensure justice for all. “They pledged that no one’s rights would be denied. Yet, we see deserving candidates being overlooked,” she said.
Mehbooba urged NC leader Omar Abdullah to take decisive action rather than waiting for court decisions to resolve these issues. “You have the power to address this problem. Why put it before the court? Reservation should be granted as per population to ensure fairness,” she emphasized.
The PDP President also criticized the current situation where students, who once attended schools with the hope of securing jobs, are now disheartened. She stressed the need for immediate measures to restore merit and fairness in the system. (KNS)
