Mehbooba Mufti accuses NC of reducing PAGD to a ‘joke’

Srinagar, Mar 8: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti Friday criticised the National Conference (NC) for unilaterally deciding to contest all three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir, accusing the NC of reducing the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to a “joke”.

The PAGD is an alliance of five political parties seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, which was revoked by the Centre in 2019.

Addressing a news conference, Mufti expressed disappointment and called the NC's decision a setback to the hopes of the people of J&K.

She emphasised that the PDP did not break the alliance, contrary to remarks made by NC Vice President Omar Abdullah.

The NC announced that it would contest all three seats in Kashmir and suggested that the Congress contest two seats in the Jammu region, with a consensus candidate for the Ladakh seat.

In the last elections, NC won all three seats in Kashmir while BJP secured two Jammu seats and the lone Ladakh seat.

Mufti clarified that the PDP remains part of the INDIA bloc and would discuss future strategies with the Congress.

She expressed regret over the alliance’s unity breaking, saying that if the NC had discussed the issue with her, PDP could have allowed the NC to contest all three Kashmir seats.

Mufti criticised the NC for taking a major decision without consulting the PDP saying that discussions were typically held within the PAGD on smaller issues.

She said that the NC, a member of the alliance, had achieved what the BJP could not – breaking the PAGD.