PDP releases manifesto, vows to speak up for J&K people’s rights in Parliament

Srinagar, Apr 19: The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Friday released the party manifesto, saying they will raise their voice against the “onslaught” on the rights of the people in J&K post-2019 on the floor of Parliament.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Mufti said they aren’t any big party and that a small manifesto was released in accordance with the needs and situation of J&K. She said that every party will talk about electricity, roads, and drinking water, but the PDP will especially focus on the post-2019 situation.
“Since 2019, J&K has been converted into an open-air prison. Ever since then, there has been an assault on the land, identity, resources, and even jobs, as well as the freedom of speech,” she alleged. “We believe people are being stripped of rights and it is time to raise our voice in Parliament. Our manifesto revolves around the same issues. The state subject laws were changed, leading to the looting of resources, including electricity and lithium, which are being given to outsiders.”
The former chief minister also alleged a scam in jobs, saying instead of creating employment, people are being dismissed from services.
“The tribal community is being evicted from their own land and harassed. The backbone of Kashmir, the horticulture sector, is facing issues due to the unfavourable decisions of the government,” she said.
Mufti further alleged that traders and transporters are being harassed and threatened by agencies like ED, income tax and NIA, adding, “People are not being provided with passports, and even for an NOC, people are being harassed. These things have been happening for the past five years, and the Government of India is making efforts to silence the people here, who remain as dead people. But, PDP has not been silent, and we have raised our voices against it. Though we have had to pay the price for raising our voice.”
Mehbooba said the PDP will raise these issues in Parliament too, and that MP funds will be utilised with priority given to youth—who she said are the “first and worst victims” of the post-2019 episode.
“We will make efforts to prioritise youth—for them, playgrounds, playing equipment, and in their institutions, be it laptops, computers, and other needs. The female students facing inconvenience due to the absence of toilet facilities in schools, and people facing drinking water issues in remote villages will be given priority,” she added.
The PDP chief also mentioned that her priority will be to have a tunnel for the Mughal Road Tunnel, Sadhna Tunnel, and Rajdhani Tunnel to enhance regional connectivity.
She added, “We will assertively seek the return of our projects and advocate for their power supply to be sourced from either complimentary or inexpensive electricity in Jammu and Kashmir.”