Sajad Lone Accuses NC, PDP of ‘Misleading Kashmir’, Flags Governance and Corruption Concerns | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Peoples Conference President and Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone on Thursday accused the National Conference (NC) and PDP of practising “contradictory politics” and misleading people through what he termed selective narratives on key public issues.

Speaking to the media in Srinagar, Lone alleged that both parties adopt different political positions in different regions of Kashmir, claiming their leaders make one statement in Srinagar and another in districts such as Kupwara, Baramulla and Budgam.

Referring to the ongoing anti-drug crackdown and demolition drives targeting alleged drug peddlers, Lone said NC and PDP leaders publicly criticise such actions in Srinagar while their legislators support the Lieutenant Governor’s remarks elsewhere. He described the alleged contradiction as “a mockery of the people”.

The Peoples Conference leader also criticised the debate over liquor bans in Jammu and Kashmir, accusing the two parties of indulging in “political drama” and “electoral deception”. He claimed neither NC nor PDP imposed a liquor ban during their respective tenures despite repeatedly raising the issue during election campaigns.

Lone further alleged that corruption linked to government transfers had reached “unprecedented levels”, referring to recent allegations raised by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti regarding transfer-related bribery. In a sarcastic remark, he said “transfers” should be included in the government’s industrial policy because of the scale of money allegedly involved.

Addressing the NEET examination controversy, Lone criticised the centralised examination system, calling it unfair to students and advocating a return to localised competitive mechanisms. He said repeated controversies surrounding NEET had created uncertainty for students and exposed a lack of accountability in the existing system.

During the interaction, Lone repeatedly accused mainstream political parties of “lying to the people” and urged the media to ask tougher questions on governance and public accountability.