Kulgam, Apr 24: Former Chief Minister and President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said her party is committed to preventing the people of Jammu and Kashmir from being reduced to “bonded labourers”. She said the party would continue advocating against “injustices” and that this election is “more about a fight for the collective identity”.
Mufti made these statements during a rally in Devsar in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. This marked her third rally in the Devsar on the same day. Earlier in the day she addressed a rally at Frisal and Okai in Kulgam.
Mehbooba said the people of J&K understand that parliamentary elections are not solely about electricity, roads, or other such amenities. The current situation in J&K demands a voice that genuinely advocates for the rights and addresses the suffocation felt by its people to reach the parliament.
“This election is not just the fight of the National Conference or the PDP, but rather a battle for the identity and dignity of J&K,” she said and warned that the dignity of the people would be at risk if the true voice of the region is not represented in parliament.
The PDP chief appealed to people across party lines, including those of the Pahadi, Gujjar, and Bakkarwal communities, urging them to support her candidacy.
In response to a question about a specific party claiming strong support in Rajouri and Poonch, the former chief minister said, “I don’t have any vote bank. Both Mufti Sahib and I have served the people of Rajouri and Poonch. Mufti Sahib liberated them from suppression and initiated significant projects like the construction of the Mughal Road, establishment of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, medical colleges, and general colleges. What hadn’t been achieved in 40 years, Mufti Sahib accomplished in just three.”
Mehbooba said her belief is that the BJP is apprehensive of the INDIA alliance due to the support they are garnering from the people and their comprehensive manifesto. The manifesto promises initiatives such as creating 30 lakh jobs, providing 50 percent reservation for women, and ensuring farmers receive Minimum Support Price (MSP), she said, adding that the NDA is fearful of the momentum gained by the INDIA alliance, which she believes is making significant strides.
“In the past 70 years, Congress has, for the first time, presented a manifesto as promising as this one – it’s pro-people, beneficial for the poor and unemployed. However, instead of focusing on its content, BJP leaders are making statements to incite Hindu-Muslim tensions,” she added.
The PDP president further said that Congress has been in power for over 50 years, and they never took away anyone’s ‘mangalsutra’ or gold from their sisters or mothers to give to Muslims. “Instead, they built the nation, established large hospitals, and created factories to provide employment to the people of this country. Their greatest contribution was granting freedom to the nation,” she said. “Today, I believe BJP leaders have nothing substantial to offer but are solely focused on provoking tensions between Hindus and Muslims.”
