Srinagar, Dec 8 – Peoples Democratic Party Chief, Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday emphasised on unity being the only safeguard in face of the onslaught on rights and dignity of the people of J&K .
She said that those against unity see elections and electoral victory as the ultimate goal.
“In present times, our very survival is being questioned. It is incumbent that we unite at all levels and think beyond elections and electoral victories. Those against unity see elections and electoral victory as their penultimate goal. This approach is antithetical to aspirations and expectation of our people from us,” Mehbooba said while addressing a workers’ convention in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Underscoring a commitment to addressing the “unspoken concerns” and “aspirations” of the populace, Mehbooba said she was not here for elections but to articulate the silence of the people.
“Our agenda has always been the advocacy for a permanent resolution and the safeguarding of democratic rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.,” she added.
Drawing inspiration from the founding ethos laid down by Mufti Mohammad Muhammad Sayeed, she emphasized that her father has laid down a clear path to be adhered to by the party and anyone who has compassion for the people of J&K.
Mehbooba Mufti pondered over the philosophy of Mufti Sayeed, emphasizing his belief that prioritizing people’s interests over power was paramount.
“This philosophy manifested in the strategic political alliances he crafted based on pro-people commitments , such as the Common Minimum Programme of the PDP-Congress coalition and the Agenda of Alliance between PDP and BJP. These alliances, rooted in principled governance, aimed to ease the challenges faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir by prioritising and executing a roadmap to bring peace with dignity to the lives of conflict ravaged people of J&K,” she said.
Mehbooba said that these alliances sometimes involved compromises from the national parties, even on issues contrary to the long-standing political agenda of parties like the BJP.
“However, Mufti sahbibs moral courage played a pivotal role in persuading allies to work collectively for the welfare of the region,” she said
