Srinagar, May 08: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday questioned the union government’s assertions about restoring normalcy in Kashmir, pointing out why numerous youth still languish in jails across the country without trials and why employees are terminated while youth with government jobs face security clearance denials based on mere suspicion.
Addressing poll rallies in Srinagar Lok Sabha Constituency, Chadoora, the PDP President further criticized the disparity in power tariffs, highlighting that while Jammu and Kashmir provides subsidized power to other states, its own residents face exorbitant rates. She underscored the dire levels of joblessness in the region, emphasizing that the ongoing elections are crucial for the future generations of Jammu and Kashmir to pull the youth out of the uncertainty morass.
The PDP President recounted her initiative in the formation of Gupkar alliance and her keenness to collaborate with other political groups, including the National Conference (NC). However, she said NC leader Omar Abdullah’s dismissal of PDP’s relevance, awakened PDP workers and the people too did not like the arrogant attitude. “I wanted this fight to be fought together with other political parties and groups. I trusted the NC patriarch Dr. Farooq Abdullah. I was sure that he would decide the forthcoming strategy on merit. If he would have called me and told me that you do not possess the caliber to represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir in parliament and that NC can do the job better, that would have been a different picture. But Omar Abdullah Sahib called the press people and addressed a press conference, claiming that PDP exists nowhere on the ground and has vanished from the political landscape. This awakened the PDP workers from slumber. Not only them but also the common people across Jammu and Kashmir. They know it is the PDP alone that has accorded them peace with dignity. There could be instances when people were a bit upset with us but it is also a fact that PDP lives in people’s hearts. This is the reason people all across are showing overwhelming support to our campaigns,” Mehbooba said as per a statement issued to media.
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Reflecting on PDP’s historical contributions, Mehbooba emphasized the party’s pivotal role in ushering in a period of peace and development during its governance. She highlighted achievements such as the opening of the Muzaffarabad road and the establishment of institutions like AIIMS and Islamic University, attributing these to PDP’s proactive measures. “When for the first time, PDP formed the government in 2002, within a mere three years, the entire picture changed. People heaved a sigh of relief from uncertainty, bloodshed, and mayhem, a new era of peace and tranquility ushered. Muzaffarabad road was opened, and new pro-peace measures were taken. Sight me a single instance when within just three years, any chief minister of the state in its history has taken such bold and pro-people measures. Today, people have AIIMS, Islamic University, an expressway from Srinagar to Anantnag, and thousands of jobs due to Rehbar-e-Taleem. This was all done by the PDP,” Mehbooba said.
Echoing PDP President’s sentiments, PDP’s Srinagar candidate Waheed ur Rahman Parra highlighted the significance of the upcoming elections. Parra emphasized that the polls represent a crucial battle to safeguard the interests of future generations in Jammu and Kashmir. Urging youth to stand firm against external pressures, he reassured them that victory is within reach. “If people this time also prefer to stay indoors on voting day, history will not be kind to us. We are seeing how our youth are being hounded by a band of tie-wearing bandits these days. I urge my people to remain steadfast. It is a matter of a few more days, and God willing, we will sail through. It is time to strengthen the PDP, strengthen Mehbooba Mufti. She jumped into the fight without any resources. We must resolve to become pillars of support for her. We must tell those who plundered us of our rights that we are coming to get back what you snatched from us on August 5, 2019,” Parra said, the statement added.
