The Chhattisgarh

Tag: Mehbooba Mufti

  • Mehbooba Mufti Warns Govt Against Pressuring Non-Local Laborers To Leave Kashmir |

    PDP president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that the J-K administration is pressuring non-local labourers to leave the region following the recent terrorist attack in Sonamarg, which claimed seven lives. Mufti also called for a more measured response, warning that hasty decisions could damage Kashmir’s social and economic stability and tarnish the region’s image on a national level.

    In her social media post, Mufti stressed that expelling non-locals could send a dangerous signal to the rest of the country, undermining the recent peaceful elections held in the Union Territory. She pointed out the risk of this move provoking retaliatory sentiments in other states where Kashmiri workers and students reside, potentially putting their safety at risk.

    “Kashmiris living outside the valley could face similar hostility if we force these workers to leave in such a manner. The situation needs to be handled with care,” Mufti said.

    She also emphasised the contributions of non-local labourers to the region’s economy, especially in sectors like construction, agriculture, and service industries, warning that their sudden departure could lead to severe labour shortages and halt critical projects.

    The former chief minister called on current political leaders, including Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure that labourers are given enough time to return home safely rather than being abruptly forced out.

    The Jammu and Kashmir Police quickly responded to Mehbooba Mufti, quoting IGP Kashmir and said, “Social media reports claiming that the local administration has asked non-local workers to leave the valley are false. The Jammu and Kashmir Police is committed to ensuring security and fostering a safe environment for all individuals to pursue their livelihoods without fear or intimidation. The general public is advised not to pay heed to such false information on social media platforms.”

    Although security has been beefed up across the Kashmir Valley after the Gagangeer attack, extra deployments can be seen on the roads in Kashmir.

  • J&K Polls: Mehbooba Mufti Confident Of Playing Kingmaker; Says No Alliance With BJP |

    PDP President Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday ruled out any possibility of a tie-up with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir while asserting that government formation after the assembly polls would not be possible without the inclusion of her party.

    Criticizing the National Conference (NC), she claimed the party seeks to contest elections solely for the purpose of forming a government. “They have been doing so since 1947. They do not have any aim other than that. They form alliances just for the sake of government formation, for ministerial berths,” she said, addressing workers at the party headquarters.

    Mufti emphasized that the PDP wants to contest elections with a clear agenda but insisted that no government could be formed after the assembly polls without the participation of the PDP. “We formed a government with only 16 MLAs in 2002. God willing, this time too, no government will be formed without the PDP,” she added.

    However, she clarified that the PDP’s focus is more on implementing its agenda than on forming a government. Mufti, whose party had formed a coalition government with the BJP in 2015, ruled out any future alliance with the saffron party after the polls. The PDP had previously joined hands with the BJP with the goal of resolving the Kashmir issue. Today, however, she noted, there seems to be no scope for that, as the BJP has undone all efforts in that direction.

    Responding to a question about former NC leader Devender Singh Rana’s remarks that the NC wanted to form a government with the BJP in 2014, Mufti stated that whatever her party has done, it has done openly, unlike the NC, which she accused of acting in secrecy. “When we were having talks with the Central government, not the BJP, through Ram Madhav, everyone knew it was done in the open. We brought an agenda and implemented it. We did not do it secretly like Omar [Abdullah],” she said.

    “Rana is saying it now; Ghulam Nabi Azad said before that they [NC leaders] meet with the BJP in Delhi under the cover of darkness. We do not do anything secretly,” she emphasized. “Our party does not have any contact with the BJP, and perhaps there will not be any.”

    When asked about Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s visit to J&K on Wednesday, Mufti said he is most welcome. “He wants to come to Kashmir to campaign for his party, and he has every right to do so,” she said.

  • Meet Iltija Mufti: PDP’s New Hope To Retain Their Stronghold In J&K |

    The PDP has banked on Iltija Mufti, the daughter of party chief Mehbooba Mufti and a third-generation member of the family, to retain its Srigufwara-Bijbehara Assembly seat, a PDP bastion since 1996. The Srigufwara-Bijbehara Assembly seat, earlier known as the Bijbehara constituency before the delimitation exercise of 2022, is going to polls in the first phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18.

    A Three-Way Contest

    This constituency in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district has the least number of candidates — just three — of all the 24 constituencies that will go to polls three weeks from now. The other two candidates in the fray are two former MLCs — National Conference (NC) leader Bashir Ahmad Shah and BJP leader Sofi Mohammad Yousuf.

    Iltija Mufti’s Potential Impact

    If 37-year-old Iltija Mufti emerges victorious, it would strengthen the PDP’s — and the Mufti family’s — hold on this bastion that they have made their own since 1996. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who founded the PDP in the latter part of his long political career, started his electoral foray with a win from the Bijbehara seat in 1962 as a candidate of the NC faction headed by Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq.

    A Legacy of Leadership

    PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also started her electoral politics from Bijbehara, winning on a Congress ticket. She resigned from the Assembly when the senior Mufti decided to part ways with the Congress and floated his own regional outfit. Mufti loyalist and senior PDP leader Abdul Rehman Bhat won four consecutive elections from Bijbehara till 2014, the last Assembly polls held in Jammu and Kashmir. Bhat has been given the party ticket from the Shangus-Anantnag West constituency this time.

    Challenges from NC and BJP

    National Conference candidate Bashir Ahmad Shah will be hoping to break the PDP’s stranglehold on this constituency, which was represented by his father Abdul Gani Shah from 1977 to 1990. The oldest political party of Kashmir has invested heavily in Bashir Ahmad Shah, giving him the party ticket several times, even though he lost every time. He was even made an MLC when the NC formed a coalition government with the Congress from 2009 to 2014.

    BJP’s Ambitions in Kashmir

    In the intense rivalry between the NC and the PDP for the Bijbehara seat, Yousuf would be hoping to garner votes to give his party the first Assembly seat from Kashmir. Yousuf, who joined the BJP when it was still considered a “taboo” in Kashmir, has been well taken care of by his party. He was made an MLC during the PDP-BJP coalition government.

  • ‘Prime Minister Should Speak Up…,’ Mehbooba Mufti Slams Modi Over Kanwar Yatra Order |

    The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered shopkeepers en route of the  Kavad Yatra to display their names on shop boards. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti questions PM Modi’s silence on the UP administration’s order regarding the Kavad Yatra, stating it is unconstitutional and an example of the fear that they have to change the constitution.

    Prime Minister should clarify whether he endorses this or not. Mufti said,  “It is clear that BJP wants to destroy the constitution which gives an individual every open right.”

    “They dropped from 350 to 240 seats in recent Lok Sabha polls but still not mending their ways. This serves as a warning to the voters, showing how they aim to dismantle the country’s constitution,” PDP Chief said.

    Mehbooba warned the people of the country and said, “They start with Muslims, then Dalits and eventually target other minorities as well. The Uttar Pradesh government’s order is unconstitutional.”

    “Prime Minister should speak up about how he is witnessing these situations in the country and clarify whether he endorses the order or not,” she said. 

    On Friday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mandated that food and beverage shops along Kanwar routes should display the name and identity of the owner to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrim’s faith.
     
    Mehbooba Mufti was speaking on the joining of the former People’s Conference leader into the PDP, who rejoined today after 3 years.

  • ‘Pakistan Infiltrating Kashmir Civil Society’: ADGP |

    After Mehbooba Mufti and other political parties countered DGP RR Swain’s statement related to regional political parties and their leaders today, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order, Vijay Kumar, distanced JKP from the Police Chief’s statement, saying JKP is apolitical and a professional force, and that what the DGP said reflects his personal views.

    The DGP’s statement stirred controversy when he addressed a function at IIAM in Jammu, alleging that mainstream regional politics had enabled Pakistan-based infiltrators to manipulate civil society during times of terrorism. This claim drew sharp criticism from local politicians across party lines.

    Responding to a question, the Additional Director General of Police said, “Pakistan infiltrating Kashmir civil society and cultivating leaders of terror networks to further their electoral prospects”.

    “Jammu and Kashmir Police has always been an apolitical force. The DGP’s statement may reflect his personal views. Jammu and Kashmir Police is apolitical, professional, and impartial,” Kumar told reporters during his visit to downtown Srinagar on the 10th Muharram procession.

    Yesterday, Mehbooba Mufti demanded the sacking of the Police Chief, accusing him of favouring a particular party.

    Meanwhile, the NC advised the DGP to refrain from making political statements and focus on his professional duties to achieve better outcomes.

  • Anantnag-Rajouri Election To Be Postponed? Omar, Mehbooba Voice Concern On ECI’s Query |

    Former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir – Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah today urged the Election Commission of India to not postpone the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha polls. The two leaders’ remarks came after the Election Commission of India wrote to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and the Chief Electoral Officer of the region seeking a report about the constituency and the need for postponing the polls. The ECI wrote to the state election officer after several political parties including the BJP, Apni Party, and J&K Peoples’ Conference wrote to the ECI demanding the postponement of the polls citing adverse road conditions and inclement weather.

    Responding to this, both Omar and Mehbooba wrote to the ECI, alleging that the BJP and its A, B, C teams are sensing defeat and thus making excuses regarding weather conditions. PDP chief and Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency candidate Mehbooba Mufti accused the BJP of attempting to sabotage the electoral process in the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency.

    Mufti stated, “The BJP and other parties who have ganged up against me want to prevent me from reaching Parliament. The support I’m receiving from people across party lines in both the Kashmir and Jammu regions is making these parties fearful of my influence among the people, prompting them to write to the ECI to defer the polls for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat.”

    Mufti further asserted that the demand is entirely illogical as only a few days remain until the polls. She appealed to the ECI not to postpone the polls for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency under any circumstances, stating, “This action would convey the wrong message, eroding trust in the electoral process and resulting in serious consequences.” Mehbooba Mufti wrote a detailed letter to the ECI demanding that the polls for the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituency not be deferred.

    NC Vice President Omar Abdullah addressed a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar over the issue opposing the postponement of the polls. “When they sense that the NC has the upper hand and the establishment-backed candidate is losing, they resort to these tactics. We have witnessed this in the past as well; when the former CM’s brother was on the verge of losing and the Anantnag elections were postponed, then no elections happened. The BJP and partner parties, along with the ECI, are attempting to do the same, citing the Mughal road problem.”

    Abdullah added, “Some parties among those who have written this letter have nothing to do with these elections since they haven’t fielded a candidate, such as the People’s Conference and the BJP. Should I write a letter tomorrow for some seat in South India to have it deferred?”

    Abdullah further said that if the polls are deferred, the NC will take the matter to court. “The ECI must instruct the administration to keep the roads open. I’ve been CM, and I know that machinery and manpower can keep the Mughal road open,” he stated.

    Inclement weather conditions have led to frequent closure of the Mughal Road, which connects the Anantnag and Rajouri areas of J&K. Mufti also held a roadshow through the Mughal Road yesterday. In the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, all paperwork is complete, with 21 candidates contesting the polls while voting is slated to take place on May 7th, in the third phase.

  • ‘Will Get Back What Was Snatched From Us After 2019…’: Mehbooba Mufti In Pahalgam |

    Pahalgam: The ongoing electoral battle transcends mere developmental issues; the priority is safeguarding Jammu and Kashmir’s core identity and interests, stated Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during a series of roadshows across various hamlets of South Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Saturday. Mehbooba rallied supporters, emphasizing that the ongoing electoral battle focuses on safeguarding the core identity and interests of Jammu and Kashmir, rather than just developmental issues. She expressed the intention to reclaim the plundered rights of Jammu and Kashmir since 5th August 2019.

    Mehbooba underscored the significance of unity among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, urging them to rise above partisan politics and prioritize the greater cause. She stated that the PDP is the protector of people’s interests and, if voted into power, will take the people’s voices to parliament.

    Addressing the challenges faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba remarked, “The current scenario in Jammu and Kashmir reflects a systematic assault on our rights and resources.” She highlighted issues such as skyrocketing electricity bills and the denial of employment opportunities for educated youth, asserting that the people are bearing the brunt of these injustices.

    Mehbooba alleged, “Our lands are being taken away from us, our resources and jobs are being bartered to outsiders. Our people are being turned into bonded laborers with no identity and no say,” while addressing a public rally.

    She further pledged to fight to reverse the losses incurred since 5th August 2019, promising a resurgence of rights and dignity for the people of Kashmir.

    Mehbooba assured, “I promise you that we will get back whatever was snatched away from us post 5th August 2019,” and asked people to remain vigilant and united in the face of adversity. “We must not lose hope, for history has shown that change is possible even in the darkest of times,” concluded Mufti.