PDP guided by people’s interests in its political struggle: Mehbooba Mufti

Kupwara, Dec 3 : Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti today said her party in its political struggle is guided by people’s interests and not by personal desire for power.

According to a press release, she was addressing a workers’ in Kupwara. Mehbooba highlighted the historical pitfalls of J&K's political landscape, where alliances with the central government often prioritised power dynamics rather than the well-being of the region's inhabitants. However, she underscored that the PDP's engagements with national parties, such as the Congress in 2002 and the BJP in 2014, were driven by a commitment to securing the interests of the people.

Mufti elaborated on the alliance with Congress, emphasising a written common minimum programme that aimed at dismantling draconian laws like POTA, disbanding the Special Operations Group (SOG), and bringing relief to the lives of people affected by conflict and violence. “Similarly, the alliance with the BJP was based on a written agenda of alliance, with a focus on safeguarding the rights and identity of the people of J&K through the special status of the state, including preconditions for dialogue and reconciliation to ensure sustainable peace,”she said.

Expressing concern, Mehbooba highlighted “the BJP's view of the PDP as a roadblock to its designs in J&K, citing efforts to weaken the party before the unilateral abrogation of Article 370.” Despite these challenges, Mufti asserted the party's determination to continue the fight for the rights, dignity, and identity of the people of J&K. She urged party members and supporters to stay united in the face of the grave challenges presented in this struggle.

While addressing the convention, senior leader and former Member Parliament Dr Mehboob Beg said that respecting the sentiment of the people of J&K for unity and understating how crucial it is in the struggle for dignity and rights of the people of J&K, PDP has always advocated unity at all levels. “We know that this is the best way to deal with the challenge and the fact that popular sentiment is for unity across the board and we respect that. Hence we have always supported and propagated unity . But this must be reciprocated by one and all with utmost sincerity of purpose, else it cannot be at the cost of dignity and self respect,” he said.

Party Chief Spokesperson Syed Suhail Bukhari also addressed The convention. Others who were present on this occasion include senior leader Adv Khurshid Iqbal, district president Adv Abdul Majeed, Mohammad Afzal Wani , Rafiq Ahmad Rather, Ghulam Nabi Pandithpuri, Tahir Sayeed , Irfan Mohiudin Sofi, Youth coordinator Aryan Dar , all zone presidents and others .