SRINAGAR, May 6: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti sharply criticized the ruling National Conference (NC) on Wednesday for attempting to divert public attention from its governance failures by dragging religious scripture into political discourse. This remark comes in response to NC’s recent accusations regarding her party’s voting practices in the Rajya Sabha elections.
Addressing the media, Mufti stated, “For God’s sake, do not drag Quran into politics. They (NC) are doing this to hide their failures over the past two years of being in government. People are disheartened with them.” Her comments reflect the growing political tensions between the PDP and the NC amid allegations regarding the recent elections.
The controversy began when MLA Zadibal and NC chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq demanded that Mehbooba Mufti and her MLAs swear by the Quran that they did not vote for the BJP during the Rajya Sabha polls last year. An RTI reply revealed that the PDP had not appointed a chief agent for these elections, fueling allegations from the NC that three of their MLAs had indeed voted in favor of the BJP.
Mufti vehemently denied these allegations and accused the National Conference of attempting to shift blame for its own failures. She stated, “Houses are being demolished under the garb of fighting drugs. Earlier the same thing was done under the pretext of fighting terrorism.”
Highlighting the ongoing issues in the region, she criticized the NC for summarily dismissing employees and exposing open merit students to difficult circumstances. “All this government has done so far is being a mute spectator,” she added, suggesting a lack of proactive governance by the National Conference.
Political analysts note that Mehbooba Mufti’s remarks may resonate with a disillusioned electorate in Jammu and Kashmir, further fueling the ongoing rivalry between the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). While the NC accuses the PDP of collusion with the BJP, many political commentators consider this a tactic of deflection amid mounting criticism of their governance.
The former chief minister reiterated the importance of separating politics from religious texts, emphasizing that while political parties should engage in healthy debate, they ought to refrain from using sacred scriptures to score points against opponents. “The NC is welcome to fight my party politically, but the ruling party should spare religious scriptures while doing so,” she concluded.
As the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir continues to evolve, the dynamics between these two major parties will likely shape future electoral battles. Voters in the region are keenly observing the discourse, weighing the statements made by both sides as they prepare for upcoming polls.
In conclusion, the National Conference faces growing scrutiny as accusations of governance failures mount, while the PDP seeks to position itself as a viable alternative for the electorate. The political narrative surrounding the Rajya Sabha election results will play a critical role in determining the future trajectories of both parties.
