Srinagar: People’s Democratic Party President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday cautioned against devastating implications of moves that would undermine the trust and faith of the people in J&K in the electoral democracy that has so painstakingly been restored over the years.
She was responding to the query of reporters in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on a statement made by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah wherein he had said: “It does not matter whether the BJP will get the mandate in Kashmir, but the three ‘Parivarvadi parties’ including People’s Democratic Party – who did not let democracy flourish in the region should be wiped out”.
Launching a scathing attack on the ruling BJP, Mufti underlined a systematic campaign of suppression that has made life miserable for the people of J&K.
She lamented the loss of rights and liberties post-August 5, 2019, and said that the BJP, viewing the PDP as a staunch critic of its anti-people policies, had deliberately weakened the party and targeted her personally.
Mufti alleged that the BJP created new parties by enticing and forcing PDP leaders away, a move she believes is aimed at diluting the PDP’s influence as a voice for the suppressed populace in J&K.
She emphasized the importance of the electoral process as a means for the people to resist and express their grievances against the BJP’s misdeeds ranging from stripping the people of J&K of their rights and liberties, plundering their resources, and muzzling their voices.
“In the hope that they would deter me from voicing the people’s concerns, they not only tried to weaken our party but also targeted me personally. They went all out by summoning me, my brother, and my aged mother by the ED and even evicting me from my residence in the Chillai Kalan (the harshest phase of winter). But they failed” she said.“Having failed miserably, now it seems they could go to any extent, including undermining the faith of the people of J&K in the electoral democratic process that has been restored through painstaking efforts over decades.”
“They want to see to it that PDP as the people’s voice is not allowed to reach the parliament of this country and for which they don’t care even about the national interest, the sole aim being the elimination of our party,” she added.
“What they don’t seem to realise is the dangers that such an intent is fraught with. Do we want to undo the efforts that restored the people’s faith in J&K in the electoral process?” she asked.
