PDP chief calls for all-party platform to safeguard J&K’s issues
Mehbooba choose to align with BJP despite NC’s repeated requests in 2014: Sakeena
People tired of NC, PDP, letters a new drama by Mufti’s: LoP Sharma
Abid Bashir
Srinagar, June 3: A call for political unity in J&K by the PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti Tuesday turned into a latest political flare-up after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah accused the former chief minister of misrepresenting the facts.
Mehbooba released a public letter addressed to Chief Minister Omar and several leaders across the political spectrum, including the BJP’s LoP, urging them to rise above political rivalries and build a common platform to safeguard J&K’s identity and constitutional rights.
Drawing parallels with Ladakh’s recent political coordination between the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, Mehbooba said regional parties must abandon “squabbling” and evolve a collective strategy in the larger interest of the people.
“J&K stands at a crucial historical crossroads marked by despair and disillusionment. Disagreements and divisions among regional parties have only harmed the collective interests of the people. If Ladakh could do it, so can we,” she wrote.
However, even before the proposal could gather political momentum, the focus shifted to an escalating exchange between the former chief ministers.
In her letter, Mehbooba claimed she was compelled to go public after failing to secure an appointment with Omar. “I sought time to meet you, but due to your preoccupation it was not possible. Since time is running out and we cannot afford further delay, I am taking the liberty of writing publicly,” she said.
Omar responded sharply through a post on X, rejecting the allegation and accusing the PDP chief of creating a misleading impression.
“Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba, we spoke on Saturday when you requested a meeting. I informed you that I would be in Pahalgam on Sunday and would get in touch on Monday or Tuesday to fix the meeting,” Omar said. “Your letter creates the impression that you have been waiting for weeks for an appointment, which is clearly not the case,” he added.
The chief minister further indicated that his response to Mehbooba’s proposal would also be made public after consultations within the National Conference. “Your letter is now in the public domain. I will consult my senior colleagues in the NC and respond similarly,” he said, hinting that the reply too would be issued publicly.
The public exchange immediately triggered reactions from rival political camps, deepening the political slugfest over Mehbooba’s outreach initiative. Senior NC leaders accused the PDP president of attempting to revive her political relevance through public theatrics.
Cabinet Minister Sakeena Itoo termed Mehbooba’s move “opportunistic politics” and reminded her of the PDP’s alliance with the BJP despite opposition from the NC leadership.
“The National Conference leadership advised Mehbooba Mufti not to ally with the BJP, but she chose otherwise. Later she also distanced herself from the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). Writing public letters now appears more like political gimmickry,” Itoo told reporters.
The BJP too dismissed Mehbooba’s initiative as political drama. Senior BJP leader and the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Sunil Sharma, said people in Kashmir had grown weary of both the Abdullah and Mufti families.
“This is a new political drama. People are fed up with both these families. The silence visible in Kashmir reflects public exhaustion with dynastic politics,” Sharma said.
Despite the sharp reactions, Mehbooba continued to insist that her proposal was not aimed at political point-scoring but at forging a united political voice for Jammu and Kashmir after the changes of 2019.
She stressed that Omar, as the elected chief minister, must take the lead in convening a meeting of all political stakeholders and civil society representatives to evolve a consensus-based outreach to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Speaking to reporters here, National Conference Chief Spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said that since Chief Minister Omar has convened a meeting of all party legislators today (June 3), the matter raised by Mehbooba will be discussed here. “Let us discuss it first and then I will be able to tell you what has been decided,” he said.
Significantly, Mehbooba also reached out to leaders beyond traditional regional alliances, sending identical letters to BJP leader Sunil Sharma, JKPCC president Tariq Hameed Karra, CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone, MP Engineer Rashid and Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti president Sanjay Tickoo.