NC’s Sakina Itoo says Mehbooba Mufti chose power over people

Srinagar, June 2: Senior NC leader and Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, accusing her of prioritising political power over public interest and holding her responsible for a series of developments that led to the erosion of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood.

Responding to a question from journalists over Mehbooba’s outreach, Itoo said the PDP chief’s political decisions had contributed significantly to the challenges faced by Jammu and Kashmir today, including the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, the downgrading of the erstwhile state into a Union Territory and the hardships suffered by its people.

She alleged that after the collapse of the PDP-BJP coalition government in 2018, National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah had offered unconditional support to Mehbooba Mufti to prevent the BJP from retaining influence in Jammu and Kashmir. However, she claimed, the offer was turned down for political reasons.

“When the BJP withdrew support from her government, Dr Farooq Abdullah offered unconditional support without seeking any ministry or position. The sole objective was to keep the BJP away from power and protect the interests of Jammu and Kashmir. But she rejected that offer because her priority was power, not the people,” Itoo said.

The minister asserted that the consequences of the PDP-BJP alliance were eventually borne by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Today there is no statehood, no Article 370, no Article 35A. Thousands of people have suffered, many have faced imprisonment and Jammu and Kashmir has paid a heavy political price. The decisions taken during that period brought us to this situation,” she said.

Itoo also referred to political developments following the constitutional changes of August 2019 and said that Dr Farooq Abdullah had repeatedly advocated unity among regional political parties to collectively safeguard the interests of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Farooq Sahib consistently called for political unity and a common platform to protect the rights and identity of the people. Unfortunately, Mehbooba Mufti did not support such efforts and remained focused on returning to power,” she alleged.

The National Conference leader further accused the PDP chief of placing political ambitions above broader public concerns at crucial moments in Jammu and Kashmir’s recent history.

Mehbooba had earlier in the day written to CM Omar Abdullah, opposition party leaders and civil society members, seeking an outreach to the Prime Minister and Home Minister to seek redressal of the issues being faced by Jammu and Kashmir.

Commenting on recent demolition and anti-encroachment drives, Itoo criticised what she described as selective implementation of the law and called for equal treatment of all violators.

“If poor people are being targeted, then influential individuals who have allegedly occupied large tracts of land should also face action. The law cannot have separate standards for the powerful and the powerless,” she said.

Reiterating her party’s position, Itoo said the National Conference remains committed to restoring statehood and safeguarding the political, constitutional and economic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We will continue our struggle for the restoration of statehood and for protecting the identity, dignity and rights of our people. That remains our commitment,” she added.