Jahangeer Ganaie
Bijbehara, Jan 7: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said the Omar Abdullah-led government has a major responsibility to provide relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have been “enduring a challenging phase” since 2019.
Speaking on the 9th death anniversary of her father and former Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed at Daro Shikoh Bagh in Bijbehara, Mehbooba, said that the Chief Minister of J&K has significant responsibilities, as the people have elected him, yet he is merely focused on clearing snow from roads.
She said that tasks like road construction, snow clearance and other minor works were carried out even in the absence of a popular government. “However, the core responsibility of the government is to provide relief to the people of J&K, which is being overlooked,” she remarked.
Mufti criticised the J&K government, saying, “Despite having a popular government in place, actions like attaching properties under UAPA, unnecessary verifications, termination of employees and arrests of those who raise their voices continue. What is the purpose of having an elected government if the chief minister remains silent on such issues?”
The chief minister, she said, must speak up. People have elected the government to represent them, not to remain silent, she added.
The PDP chief added, “Even graveyards are silent, but that doesn’t mean there is peace. Similarly, they claim there is peace in J&K, but if anyone raises a voice, they are arrested.”
Mehbooba also slammed the National Conference (NC), saying they initially opposed the installation of digital meters and promised free electricity units to the people. Now, they have shifted their stance, saying free electricity will be considered only after the full installation of digital meters, she said.
Mufti questioned why Kashmiris are being “targeted through various means” and called for raising these issues. She said the PDP has always spoken up and will continue to speak up for the people.
The former CM also expressed concern over property reservations, alleging that the rights of ordinary Kashmiris are being taken away. She urged the government to address these issues at the earliest.
Mehbooba said while there is tourism in J&K, business in Jammu has suffered. She urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to reopen the Jammu-Sialkot route to revive business in the region.
She also criticised projects that she said threatened to snatch the livelihoods of Kashmiris. Most people now depend solely on orchards for their survival, she said.
Remembering her late father, Mehbooba said Mufti Sayeed believed in a secular India and was a staunch supporter of Gandhi’s vision of the nation. “He worked for the welfare of the people of J&K and gave them a healing touch, which is desperately needed again today,” she said.
Mufti assured that her party would take every necessary step to “pull the people out of the current situation”.
All party leaders and thousands of PDP workers gathered to pay tribute to the party founder, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, who passed away in 2015.
