SRINAGAR, May 6: In a significant political rebuke, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti criticized the ruling National Conference (NC) for misusing religious scripture to divert public attention from its governance failures. Mufti conveyed her concerns during a press interaction in Srinagar, addressing recent statements made by NC leaders.
“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,” she stated. Her comments arose after NC chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq and MLA Zadibal demanded that Mufti and her MLAs swear by the Quran regarding their votes in last year’s Rajya Sabha elections.
An RTI reply revealed that the PDP did not appoint a chief agent for the Rajya Sabha elections held in October. This led to accusations from the NC that three PDP MLAs had voted for the BJP during the elections, further intensifying the political feud.
Mufti called out the NC for attempting to distract from the real issues facing Jammu and Kashmir. She highlighted ongoing social problems, stating, “Houses are being demolished under the garb of fighting drugs. Previously, similar actions took place under the pretext of fighting terrorism. Employees face arbitrary dismissals while meritorious students deal with extreme pressure.”
The former Chief Minister emphasized that the current state’s governance has only resulted in the administration becoming a mere spectator. She urged the NC to engage her party within a political framework, leaving religious scriptures out of political discourse.
In her critique, Mehbooba Mufti pointed to the discontent brewing among the public due to the NC’s governance. “The NC is welcome to fight us politically but should spare religious scriptures in the process,” she urged. This statement encapsulates the growing tension between the parties as elections loom closer.
The developments come at a time when the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir remains contentious. The PDP under Mufti’s leadership continues to push back against the NC’s narrative while striving to maintain its stance as a key player in the region’s politics.