Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 29: Young PDP leader Iltija Mufti, now running for election in Bijbehara in place of her mother and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, today said that the party will “bounce back” from the challenges it has faced since 2019 and will work to ensure the protection of J&K’s future.
In an exclusive interview with Excelsior, Iltija acknowledged that both the PDP and the people of J&K are going through a difficult time. She stressed that this period will pass and that efforts are underway to “rebuild.”
“I have seen my mother and Mufti Sayeed working hard for the party. What happened in 2019 is a reality; Delhi weakened the party, but now we are focused on rebuilding,” she said.
She described the current situation as ‘worrying,’ emphasizing the need to address the larger issues at hand.
“We are committed to finding a broader solution for J&K. While we will bounce back, protecting the future of J&K’s people, especially the youth, is equally important.”
Regarding the restoration of Article 370, which her party has promised in its manifesto, Iltija said that a leader is one who makes the impossible possible.
She stressed that there is nothing wrong with “putting up peaceful resistance” to achieve this goal.
“You might think restoring Article 370 is impossible because the BJP has been in power for several years; however, nothing in politics is permanent. Article 370 is part of the issue, but the real issues need to be resolved as well,” she said.
“I am not a leader if I claim something is impossible. If I make the impossible possible, then I am a leader. We are striving for the restoration of Article 370, and there is nothing wrong with that. Why can’t we put up peaceful resistance to reclaim what was taken from us?”
Iltija noted that PDP is the only party that has successfully created an alternative for the NC, which she said has been recognized by the people.
“We offered people hope for a party that would ensure peace, dignity, and development. Being down does not mean staying down. What matters is that our vision and goals remain the same. Unlike others, we don’t change our statements; we are committed to dialogue and reconciliation. We advocate for dignity with honor.”
In response to a question about the Government’s steps towards a bright future for the people of J&K, Iltija said: “People are in jails on frivolous charges. I have seen women whose sons and husbands are in jail; who are they ensuring the bright future for?”
The PDP leader criticized the BJP’s claims as being far from reality, questioning why it took so long for the Government to announce elections if the situation in J&K was normal.
“They create a narrative that diverges from the ground reality. Militancy has spread to areas that used to be peaceful, and it took them this long to announce elections. There is a contradiction between their statements and the reality on the ground,” she said.
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