Mehbooba Mufti, the President People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has urged voters in Jammu and Kashmir to use the ongoing parliamentary elections as an opportunity to voice their opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 and its associated decisions implemented on August 5, 2019.
Speaking at a public gathering in Larkipora, Anantnag district, Mufti emphasized the significance of the current Lok Sabha polls, stating that they transcend mere electoral proceedings. “This is not a state assembly election. These elections are about conveying a message that the actions taken in 2019 and their aftermath are unacceptable to the people,” she asserted.
The decision by the BJP-led central government to revoke Article 370, thereby stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional status and dividing the erstwhile state into two union territories, was met with widespread criticism. Mufti, a candidate in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency where polling is scheduled for May 7, reminded the electorate of the region’s resilience in the face of past challenges. “Those situations did not persist, and neither will this one, provided we fight it collectively through peaceful and democratic means,” she remarked.
Highlighting her party’s past achievements in enhancing security and development, Mufti pointed out the repeal of laws like POTA and the disbandment of notorious counter-insurgent groups during PDP’s previous tenure.
Addressing a rally in Doru Shahabad despite adverse weather conditions, Mufti expressed disappointment at the lack of participation by other parties in a proposed united front aimed at safeguarding Jammu and Kashmir’s interests. However, she found solace in the “massive support” she received, considering it a source of encouragement. Mufti reiterated that the ongoing elections symbolize the struggle to reclaim rights, emphasizing that people across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh are expressing their dissent over the decisions made on August 5, 2019.
