Sakina Itoo Questions Mehbooba’s AIIMS Visit, Says Former Rulers Acting ‘As If Still in Power’ | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Minister Sakina Itoo on Friday launched a sharp attack on PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti over her visit to the AIIMS Awantipora project site, alleging that former rulers were behaving as if they were still in power despite being voted out by the people.

In a post on X, Sakina Itoo said some political leaders appeared to be suffering from “political amnesia” and continued to act as though they held authority despite losing office in 2018 and facing repeated rejection from the electorate.

“The elected government today is led by Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Yet one wonders in what capacity former rulers are conducting reviews of the AIIMS Awantipora project. More importantly, who is signalling them to undertake such exercises? Which power centre in Delhi is directing these actions?” she said.

The minister further alleged that those responsible for delays in the AIIMS project were now attempting to claim credit for its progress.

“It is ironic that those because of whom the AIIMS project moved at a painfully slow pace are now trying to claim ownership of its progress. The fact is that the project is moving towards completion because of the focused efforts, monitoring and commitment of the present government under the leadership of CM Omar Abdullah,” she said.

Sakina Itoo said the people of Jammu and Kashmir were capable of distinguishing between those who delayed development projects and those ensuring their completion.

Her remarks came after Mehbooba Mufti visited the AIIMS Awantipora project site earlier in the day to review the progress of work and interact with officials associated with the institution.

Mehbooba Mufti was accompanied by MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik and MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra during the visit. The delegation reviewed the status of construction and held discussions with the concerned agencies regarding the project.