In a pointed response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti asserted that the Prime Minister should express gratitude to the Sheikh family, particularly Sheikh Abdullah, for their pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India.
Mufti’s remarks came after PM Modi criticized the Congress, National Conference (NC), and PDP for allegedly compromising the future of the region’s youth for political gain during his address in Srinagar on Thursday. “Modi ji should be grateful to the Sheikh family, especially Sheikh Abdullah, whose efforts made the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to the country possible,” she stated.
Furthermore, Mufti suggested that the BJP owes a debt of thanks to Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister and NC leader, for his past cooperation in promoting the BJP’s agenda. “When Omar Abdullah was a minister in the Vajpayee government, he was often taken around the world to say that Jammu and Kashmir is not a political issue, but rather a matter of terrorism that should be resolved by attacking Pakistan,” Mufti elaborated.
Reflecting on her party’s interactions with the BJP, Mufti noted, “The BJP repeatedly knocked on our doors for three months to form a government, agreeing to all our terms and conditions.” She emphasized that the PDP’s conditions included a commitment to not tamper with Article 370, the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), and the necessity for dialogue with Pakistan.
Mufti further criticized the BJP for its shifting stance, highlighting their previous engagement with the PDP and the necessity of dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference in Kashmir. “They (BJP) came to our doorstep themselves. The BJP made Omar Abdullah a minister to use him for their own purposes. The party initiated the approach. Then why the change in stance?” she questioned.
As political tensions rise in the region, Mufti’s comments serve as a reminder of the complex historical and political dynamics surrounding Jammu and Kashmir. The former Chief Minister’s remarks underscore the need for dialogue and reconciliation, amidst growing concerns about the future of the region’s youth and political stability.