“PDP didn’t sacrifice its agenda”: Mehbooba Mufti hits out at NC for questioning PDP-BJP alliance in 2014

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 3 (ANI): Hitting out at the National Conference and its vice president Omar Abdullah for questioning PDP for aligning with BJP after the 2014 assembly polls, PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said that the National Conference (NC) sacrificed their agenda when they were in coalition with BJP while PDP didn’t.

Addressing media persons, PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti said, “I brought a delegation of ministers and MPs from India to talk to Huriyat leaders. I did this when BJP was in power. I want to ask Omar Abdullah; could he had done that? Did he approach? They were also in government when Congress was in power. What he had done? But yes, they hanged one Kashmiri. When I was CM, I did ceasefire for one months? Had he done that? When Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji was Prime Minister, he did ceasefire, but Farooq Abdullah Sahab forced him to revoke that in 15 days. I still remember the words of Farooq sir. They always talk about the BJP-PDP coalition, but we never scarified our agenda, but when Omar Abdullah made alliance with BJP, they accepted BJP’s agenda on national and international level and talked about bombarding Pakistan. But when I was in power in such scenarios, I dropped BJP’s ministers. I think, when they will come for debate, it will become difficult for them.”

Mufti further iterated that only PDP can initiate negotiation between BJP and Huriyat leaders and the party has important role to play in the politics of the state.

“Only PDP can do negotiation between Huriyat and BJP leaders. NC makes government only for their benefits. When they come into the power, they say Hindustan Jindabaad and elections become halal for them but when they lost the elections, they invalidate the it and become haram for them. That’s why I think PDP will play important role to save Jammu and Kashmir from the bloodshed and Mustaq Sahab is also joining the party with this agenda,” said Mufti.

She further appealed the Lieutenant Governor of the Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that the policemen don’t harass or arrest people to conduct free and fair elections in the union territory.

Appealing to the LG, she said, “Also, I want to appeal to the administration that some of the people who were in police earlier has become active with the name of OGW and are harassing and arresting people. During the last elections also, several people were arrested 10-15 prior to elections, so, I want to request the LG who want to conduct free and fair elections to order their SPs and SHOs to stop harassing people.”

On September 1, Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti stressed the party’s agenda of reconciliation and dialogue with the Hurriyat leaders.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar on Sunday, Mufti said that the Hurriyat leaders are not “untouchables” and expressed readiness for dialogue with the latter if they want to be “part of the process.”

“The agenda of the PDP is reconciliation and dialogue. The Hurriyat is not from China or Pakistan. LK Advani spoke to them when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the PM. They are not untouchables. Our agenda is to solve the Kashmir issue, and the process of dialogue and reconciliation is necessary for it. We want to find a solution within the Constitution, and if the Hurriyat also wants to be a part of the process, then it is appreciated,” the PDP chief said.

“PDP does not fight elections of the chair. Our party fights for the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir and not just power,” she added.

Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. It will be the first assembly poll since the abrogation of Article 370.