SRINAGAR, May 6: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, launched a strong criticism against the ruling National Conference, accusing it of dragging religious scripture into political discourse to divert public attention from its governance failures.
Mufti made these remarks during a press conference, where she expressed discontent with the NC’s approach, stating, “For God’s sake, do not drag the Quran into politics. They (NC) are doing this to hide their failures over the past two years of being in government. People are disheartened with them.”
This statement comes in response to a recent controversy involving MLA Zadibal and NC chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq, who demanded that Mufti and her MLAs swear by the Quran that they did not vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Rajya Sabha polls held in Jammu and Kashmir last year.
Mufti’s comments reflect deepening political tensions within the region. An RTI (Right to Information) response disclosed that the PDP did not appoint a chief agent for the Rajya Sabha elections conducted in October last year. This revelation has fueled allegations from the National Conference that the PDP’s three MLAs supported the BJP in those elections.
In her remarks, Mehbooba Mufti firmly accused the National Conference of attempting to cover up its mismanagement. She elaborated on various pressing issues faced by citizens, stating, “Houses are being demolished under the garb of fighting drugs. Earlier the same thing was done under the pretext of fighting terrorism. Employees are being summarily dismissed while open merit students are going through tormenting times.”
Mufti further urged the National Conference to engage with her party based on political ideologies rather than invoking religious sentiments to settle scores. She welcomed political rivalry but emphasized sparing the integrity of religious texts in such confrontations.
This latest spat adds another layer to the ongoing political saga in Jammu and Kashmir, where parties continuously grapple for power and public support amidst shifting dynamics. The responses to these criticisms reflect broader public sentiment as many constituents express frustration over the lack of effective governance.
Political analysts suggest that the National Conference may need to revisit its strategies and address the tangible issues raised by the PDP. Engaging with voters over substantial civic matters rather than resorting to politicization of religion might bridge the gap between the ruling party and disillusioned citizens.
As the political scene evolves, both parties are likely to intensify their narratives, with the PDP focusing on government accountability and the National Conference aiming to retain its influence in Jammu and Kashmir. The implications of their rivalry will certainly influence the region’s stability in the near future.
