Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti defended her decision of stitching an alliance with the BJP to protect the rights of the people of the erstwhile state.
During her rally in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, she said, “Our aim wasn’t to grab seats or power but rather to safeguard Article 370 and the people’s identity. However, Omar Saab had offered us unconditional support.”
However, after the alliance came to power, the BJP in 2018 walked away from the coalition, paving the way for the abrogation of Article 370.
She said her party would have surely considered the offer by Omar if it had been the only objective. “But we made the government for the people,” she added.
She said that during her reign as Chief Minister she had set free around 12,000 youths from different jails lodged across the Union Territory.
However, despite all efforts, the youth resorted to stone-pelting. Even after Indian leadership’s arrival in Kashmir. The delegation went on to even reach the doorstep of Geelani Sahab,” she said.
She said similar developments had occurred in 1996. Having the support of 60 MLAs at that time, he had opposed talks with the separatist leadership.
“He (Abdullah) said he would raise the banner of rebellion against India if talks were held with the Hurriyat,” Mufti alleged.
When asked about the Ganderbal incident, she said, “It was me who raised the voice against the encounter; otherwise there were high chances that it would have been suppressed.”
“The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the probe only after PDP flagged the issue,” Mehbooba said.
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