Srinagar, March 4 – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday accused the National Conference (NC) of legitimizing the abrogation of Article 370 and urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to defend the rights and dignity of the people.
Addressing a press conference, Mehbooba criticized the NC government for omitting any reference to a previously passed resolution seeking the restoration of Article 370 during the Lieutenant Governor’s address in the assembly.
"This government did not even mention the resolution it had claimed was for the restoration of Article 370," she said.
Taking aim at Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba dismissed his remarks that he did not want to become Arvind Kejriwal—a reference to the jailed AAP chief and former Delhi CM.
"No one is asking him to be Kejriwal, but for God’s sake, stand up for the rights and self-respect of your people. Why did the people vote for you?" she asked.
The former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir said the region's issues extended beyond the restoration of statehood.
"We are being dispossessed—our land, minerals, jobs—everything is being taken away. People elected you to set these things right," she said.
Referring to her party’s coalition government with the BJP from 2015 to 2018, Mehbooba said the PDP did not allow the saffron party to push its agenda.
"It was our policies that shaped the alliance's agenda—whether it was amnesty for stone-pelters or outreach to separatists. Unfortunately, it seems the National Conference has given in," she said.
She noted that while the BJP had a mandate in Jammu, the NC secured 70% of the vote share in the Valley, questioning its reluctance to take a firm stance on Article 370.
"You don’t have to work miracles in three months, but at least acknowledge that what happened in 2019 was wrong and must be undone," she said.
On the first day of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly's budget session, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha praised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for personally chairing meetings with elected representatives from all 20 districts to understand their aspirations, regional needs, and development priorities.
“For the first time, the chief minister has directly engaged with representatives from every district to shape the budget,” Sinha said in his address to the assembly.
Earlier, the BJP stated that it would not allow any anti-national bill or resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.