Mufti says NC didn’t deserve support, Karra keeps differences on back burner
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Oct 23: Keeping differences apart, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and estranged coalition partner of the National Conference (NC), Congress, today announced their support to the NC candidates for the Rajya Sabha polls being held tomorrow.
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Addressing a press conference here, PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that although the NC does not “deserve” their support, the party has decided to back it for a “larger goal.”
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“We held a meeting yesterday and discussed the strategy. Dr Farooq Abdullah also called me a few days ago, seeking support. I said that we will support them, but we have certain conditions,” she said.
Detailing those conditions, Mufti said she has demanded that in return, the NC should ensure that two PDP-backed bills-one on land regulation and another on regularization of daily wagers-are passed in the Assembly.
“We have received assurances. Shammi Oberoi has assured us, and the Chief Minister has also said that pro-people bills will not be obstructed,” she said.
Reiterating her party’s stand, Mufti said the PDP would support the NC on the third seat but not on the fourth. “Because, if they lose on the fourth one, they will blame us. We will support them on the third seat,” she said.
The PDP chief added that while her party has only three votes, it will use them “to keep the BJP away.”
“In doing so, we are supporting a party that does not deserve it. But our aim is to keep the fascist forces away,” she said.
Mufti also accused the NC of breaking the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) when it felt it would not benefit from the alliance.
“They are part of the INDIA bloc, yet they kept even the Congress out of the Rajya Sabha polls. They cannot be trusted, but our goal is bigger – to fight together for the protection of J&K and its rights,” she said.
Mufti further stated that if they do not like bills brought by PDP, they (NC) should bring similar bills from the Government side, which will have the support from her party.
“Howsoever, the issues of land security and regularization of daily wagers must be addressed,” she said.
She also expressed disappointment that two of the PDP’s resolutions, including one seeking a one-time electricity fee waiver, had been dropped.
“Our bills should be accepted, and now the ball is in their court. If they don’t acknowledge them in the Assembly, it will go to the people’s court,” she said.
Mufti said that the NC has a majority and can pass these bills, and if not, it will raise questions on who is fathering whose agenda.
“Our bills are not anti-national. Sunil Sharma called the bill ‘land jihad’ and said he would see how this bill reaches the Assembly. If these bills are not passed, we will ask why the Congress was kept out of the RS polls. If our bills are rejected, then the threat given by Sunil Sharma will be fulfilled by the NC,” she said.
Mufti also criticized the state of affairs in the Assembly, alleging that selective media persons were being allowed coverage and that “there are directions on what to report and what not to.”
After threadbare discussion, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee, headed by its Chief Tariq Hameed Karra today announced its support to the NC candidates in Rajya Sabha elections.
Karra said that after two rounds of deliberations since yesterday and following detailed consultations with the Central leadership, who had sought certain clarifications and inputs from them, the party has collectively arrived at a decision.
“Taking into account our sensitivities as a suffering state and our identity as a tested voice for a diverse and secular India, the Congress Party has decided to keep all differences with the NC on the back burner-solely to reaffirm our commitment to our own ethos and principles,” he added.
“During the 2024 elections, we chose unity over division, ignoring all dissenting voices, to defeat the BJP and free the people of Jammu and Kashmir from a climate of fear and suppression. In keeping with our political culture and moral uprightness, we refuse to act out of expediency,” it read.
“The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections have posed a new challenge. We sincerely hope that the NC keeps its flock together against all temptations and manipulations-and in that endeavor, we extend our full support. All our 6 Congress MLAs will support NC,” it added.
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