BJP using Pakistan to deflect attention from its failures: Mehbooba Mufti

Srinagar, Sep 20: In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks at a rally in Katra on Thursday, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Friday accused the BJP of using Pakistan as a scapegoat to deflect attention from its “failures”.

Her statement comes after Modi said that the PDP, along with the National Conference (NC) and Congress, was pushing Pakistan’s agenda in J&K.

Mufti said this while addressing a party convention for PDP candidate Arif Laigaroo in the Nawa Kadal Kani Mazar area of Habba Kadal Srinagar.

The address to party workers and other people in the old city by the former chief minister comes after a very long time and is rare in recent times.

“BJP has failed on every front. They promised two crore jobs each year, which means 20 crore jobs in 10 years, but they haven’t delivered,” Mufti told media persons after her address to the convention. “After dividing Hindus and Muslims, lynching Muslims, and demolishing Masjids, they now remember Pakistan. They raise these issues just to hide their failures.”

She challenged the Prime Minister’s accusations, arguing that if the regional parties were indeed working for Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir would have been part of the neighbouring country long ago.

“If the Abdullah family had implemented Pakistan’s agenda, J&K would be with Pakistan, not India,” Mufti said.

Prime Minister Modi, during his rally in Katra on Thursday, had launched a strong attack on the Congress-NC alliance, referencing remarks made by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who said his country, along with the NC and Congress, shared a common stance on restoring Article 370 and the special status of J&K.

“You must stay vigilant. Every vote for Congress facilitates the implementation of the NC and PDP’s manifestos. They want to restore Article 370 and bring back the era of violence,” PM Modi had warned the voters. “While there is no enthusiasm for this alliance here, they are being celebrated in Pakistan.”

Mufti said that it was because of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah that Jammu and Kashmir had acceded to India.

“Omar Abdullah, as a minister in the BJP government, helped push their agenda, bringing POTA here and banning Shahtoosh," she said. “PM Modi should be grateful to regional parties, particularly to the Abdullah family.”

Mufti said that the BJP had twice approached her PDP to form a government in J&K.

“They came to us, asking to form a government, promising not to touch Article 370, and holding dialogue with Pakistan and the Hurriyat. What are they talking about now?” she questioned.

Mufti said: “As long as these barbed wires are spread around our people, the issue of Kashmir remains alive, and it is essential to resolve it. Soibug understands this matter better than anyone else.”