REGIONAL

‘Jammu contest off the table, Kashmir still under discussion’: Mehbooba Mufti

By News Desk

April 03, 2024

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday addressing a press conference stated that the party’s workers were hurt by the words of Omar Abdullah earlier last month.

Omar Abdullah in his statement while stating that the party would go to polls alone had ridiculed the PDP, which has deeply hurt the party, Mehbooba Mufti told media persons in Srinagar.

She said that nobody is allowed to speak in Kashmir. “Setting aside the ordinary people, even Kashmiri journalists are now restricted from expressing themselves post the abrogation of Article 370. What remains of our identity? Kashmir continues to endure profound suffering, with thousands of its residents languishing in jails, their trials delayed, some even held outside Jammu and Kashmir. What is left of Kashmir now?” she questioned.

“We are left with no option, but to field candidates on our own. I would have be more than happy to leave all the seats for JKNC, as I had left the decision to Farooq Abdullah, but unfortunately the PDP was not consulted before the decision to made all the seats in Kashmir was made,” she said.

She said that the party will not run for any seats in Jammu. “We are discussing on contesting the Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir, but nothing has been finalised yet. The decision will be made public in two to three days,” the former chief minister said.

“I’m deeply troubled by Omar Abdullah’s remarks concerning the PDP. My workers feel disheartened and is hesitant about backing the NC at this moment,” she stated.