Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 25: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, calling him the “weakest chief minister” who “cannot speak” on pressing issues, while accusing his Government of failing to deliver on key promises.
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Addressing a party convention at Khanabal in South Kashmir’s Anantnag, Mufti said the office of the Chief Minister requires authority and decisiveness.
She alleged that Omar has failed to respond effectively to key developments or address public concerns. “Chief Ministership has to be with power. He cannot even speak. If I had been in his place, I would have had heart failure,” she said.
Referring to CM’s election promises, Mufti said he had earlier pledged to throw power meters into the Jhelum River but had failed to act. “What did he do? What can a Chief Minister like him do?” she asked.
She also criticised the functioning of the J&K Assembly, drawing comparisons with other states. “The Punjab Legislative Assembly condemned the attack on Iran, but our Assembly could not,” she said.
Highlighting her own tenure, Mufti said she had dealt with significant unrest without resorting to stringent laws such as the Public Safety Act.
“People took axes, stones; everything happened, bullets were fired, but I did not invoke the Public Safety Act. If I had done that, thousands would have suffered. Instead, I withdrew FIRs against thousands of youngsters,” she said.
Raising concerns over unemployment and economic distress, Mufti accused the present dispensation of failing to act on welfare measures.
She said the PDP had introduced four bills, including one for the regularisation of daily wagers, but these were not passed.
“They might have thought it will not be done, salaries will be saved, and when elections are near, they will be regularised so they can vote again,” she remarked.
She further claimed that a bill aimed at protecting economically weaker sections occupying state land was also rejected.
Accusing political rivals, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the ruling National Conference, of collusion, Mufti said, “On our bill, the BJP said it was ‘land jihad’, and the Chief Minister called us land grabbers. But when they had to pass their own bill, they were together.”
She also criticised the National Conference’s governance record, questioning its performance both in the past and under the current Union Territory setup.
“They did nothing even when they had power. Now they are in a Union Territory with 50 members-what have they done?” she asked.
On the economic front, Mufti expressed concern over declining tourism, particularly after the Pahalgam incident.
Appealing for unity, she invoked the 2002 elections and urged people to reconsider their support for the ruling party.
“You gave them 70 seats earlier and 50 now-what have they done for you?” she asked.
Referring to developments following the Abrogation of Article 370, Mufti said her party had faced the greatest challenges. “After Article 370, the biggest difficulties were faced by the PDP. But after hardship comes ease,” she said.
Encouraging youth participation, she stressed the need for greater involvement of educated young people in upcoming urban local body elections.
Meanwhile, PDP leader Iltija Mufti said the party’s revival would begin in south Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters after the convention, she said the PDP had historically drawn strength from the region and continued to enjoy grassroots support.
She also accused the National Conference of failing to fulfil its promises and evading accountability by blaming the PDP.
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