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Srinagar, Oct 8 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday stated that New Delhi should learn from the verdict given in favor of the National Conference and Congress and refrain from interfering in their governance of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba made this remark when asked whether it would be difficult to run the government under the current circumstances in Jammu and Kashmir.
“New Delhi should take the elections as a lesson. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have given a mandate in favor of a stable government led by the National Conference and Congress. The central government should not interfere in their affairs,” Mehbooba told the media in Srinagar on Tuesday.
She warned, “If they (the Centre) do, it would be disastrous and worse than what has already happened.”
When asked what message these elections send to the Centre, she responded, “The message is clear: the people of Jammu and Kashmir are sensible and intelligent, and they have voted against further chaos in the region.”
“I want to congratulate the Congress leadership on their remarkable victory in the elections. Similarly, I extend my congratulations to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for voting in favor of a stable government,” the PDP leader said.
Mehbooba added that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been facing numerous problems, especially since August 5, 2019, when the central government revoked the region’s special status under Article 370. She emphasized that forming a strong and stable government was essential to address these issues.
When asked about the PDP securing a few seats, Mehbooba responded, “This is the choice of the people, and we must accept it. In a democracy, such outcomes are part of the process.”
“I believe the people wanted a stable government, and for that reason, they voted for the National Conference and Congress alliance to keep the BJP out of power. This could explain why our party did not win more seats,” she explained.
Asked if voters were reacting against the 2014 PDP-BJP coalition government, Mehbooba said, “People, particularly from the Kashmir Valley, have voted to establish a stable government that can strongly oppose the BJP.”
When asked if the PDP would join the NC-Congress alliance, Mehbooba remarked, “In my opinion, the NC-Congress alliance will secure 50 seats.”
She mentioned that she had spoken with Congress leadership a few days earlier and assured them they would not need external support as they were likely to win enough seats to form a majority government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba also stated that the PDP would play the role of a constructive opposition in the Assembly.
“If the result had been unclear, the people would have faced more challenges due to the lack of a stable government,” the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister added.
“I extend my best wishes to the new government, as people have placed great faith in them. I hope they will address issues such as the youth detained in jails outside the region, unemployment, and high electricity bills,” Mehbooba expressed.
When asked about the nomination of five members by the Lieutenant Governor to the Assembly, Mehbooba remarked, “That is very wrong, immoral, and unconstitutional. If the people had given a fractured mandate, one could understand the relevance of those five members. It would have enabled the BJP to control the government in Jammu and Kashmir.”
