Mir, Parra to join fray from Baramulla, Srinagar
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR Apr 7: People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti will contest the Lok Sabha polls from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat which is going to witness the most high-profile contest in Jammu and Kashmir.
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Mufti will face DPAP president and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the National Conference candidate and influential Gujjar leader Mian Altaf Ahmad and Pahari leader from Apni Party Zaffar Iqbal Manhas. However, BJP is yet to announce its candidate for the seat.
PDP Parliamentary Board chief Sartaj Madni today announced the party candidates for the three seats of Kashmir. The party’s youth wing president Waheed Parra will contest the polls from Srinagar and former Rajya Sabha member Fayaz Mir from Baramulla.
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Mufti said New Delhi is prioritizing everything concerning the Southern Parliamentary seat. “I have accepted the challenge of contesting from there, confident that the people will support us. We need a strong voice in Parliament that will fearlessly advocate for the people of J&K,” she added.
The former Chief Minister said that her party will support the Congress on two Jammu region seats of Udhampur and Jammu. Asked if the Congress will reciprocate in Kashmir, the PDP president said she was not extending support to the national party on quid pro quo basis.
“We have decided to support the Congress for the larger fight to save the Constitution and democracy. But I would appeal to not only Congress workers but NC workers also to support me so that we can take the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to Parliament,” she added.
Mufti said that this time, her party is backing the INDIA bloc, taking into consideration the current situation in the country, where the Constitution is being violated, and a dangerous atmosphere prevails. “Minorities are facing numerous issues,” Mufti said.
“We believed it was essential to support an alliance that would address the situation in J&K and make appropriate decisions for the future. I have also made efforts towards unity and collaboration here in J&K. During discussions in Mumbai, I mentioned that Dr. Farooq would handle seat-sharing arrangements for J&K,” she added.
Mufti said that she didn’t object to the NC contesting on all three seats. “However, what is disappointing is their lack of consultation with us. This left us with no choice. Our workers felt demoralized upon being told that the PDP does not exist,” she added.
“Regarding the Southern constituency, I appeal to all people to recognize that J&K has been enduring a difficult period, especially since 2019. Unemployment is rampant, and talking openly is considered a crime and labelled as anti-national,” the former Chief Minister said.
Mufti said that despite increased power charges, electricity supply remains inadequate. “In such circumstances, there is a pressing need for someone to speak up. I have experienced firsthand what ordinary citizens face-I have been imprisoned, faced the PSA, thrown out of the house, and been summoned by the ED,” she added.
“We have Waheed here, who has faced numerous challenges. He has been imprisoned, tortured, and was not permitted to accompany his father, who was suffering from cancer. Tragically, even his nephew passed away and he was not allowed to meet him,” she said.
“Regarding Fayaz Mir, I urged him to resign in 2019. When he refused, I expelled him from the party. He now acknowledges that what occurred was wrong, so he is back,” she said.
On the Congress party’s manifesto, Mufti said this was the best manifesto in the past 70 years. “It does not talk about 2 crore jobs but 30 lakh jobs only. It does not have jumlas but achievable goals.”
Asked if she will campaign for the INDIA bloc outside Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP president said she cannot do it. “We could not strengthen the alliance here in Jammu and Kashmir which is in such a terrible situation. What will I say to people in other places?” she said.
About BJP leader Tarun Chugh meeting People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone and Apni party founder Altaf Bukhari, Mufti responded, “you have not counted Azad Sahib”.
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