People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti slammed the National Conference government for allegedly betraying the mandate of the people despite receiving massive support in the 2024 Assembly elections.
Speaking at a party convention in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, she said rising unemployment figures were casting a shadow over the future of qualified youth. “Despite being meritorious, our young people remain jobless. Their parents are deeply worried, and as a result, many youths are falling into drug addiction,” she said. She accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of failing to fulfil promises made in its 2024 election manifesto.
“Where are the 200 units of free electricity? Where is the free cooking gas? And where are the one lakh jobs promised during the campaign?” she asked. She said, “Power projects were being handed over to outsiders while electoral promises remained unfulfilled, claiming the government showed little interest in implementing them.”
Under her outreach programme titled ‘Khaat Baat’, the former Chief Minister interacted with people across Kashmir and found widespread stress and anxiety among the masses, especially among poorer sections.
Criticising the government further, she said, “People are distressed. Even in mosques, prayer leaders are allegedly being asked to vet sermons before delivering them.” Highlighting concerns of the minority Sikh community, Mufti said, “The Sikh community has always stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kashmir, yet they have not received adequate support packages. It is time they are given due attention.”
When asked about her alliance with the BJP in 2018, she said, “PDP never compromised on the rights of people and whatever decisions were taken back then were in the interest of the people.” Though the coalition government had collapsed in 2018 after the BJP withdrew support from the alliance it had entered into in 2014.
Also read: Baramulla Police seek public help to tackle drug abuse
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