Party Asserts Commitment to Upholding Identity and Dignity of Jammu and Kashmir Amid Ongoing Struggles
“Meri Awaaz Hi Mera Manshoor Hai”: Mehbooba Mufti
JK News Today
Srinagar, April 7: The Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP) today announced its candidates for three Lok Sabha seats of Kashmir. The announcement, made by the Chairman of the party’s parliamentary board, Mohammad Sartaj Madani, revealed key figures to represent the party in three constituencies.
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has been nominated as the candidate for the Anantnag-Pirpanjal seat, youth PDP president Waheed ur Rehman Parra and former Rajya Sabha Member Fayaz Ahmad Mir would be the party’s candidates for central kashmir and north kashmir seat respectively.
Addressing the media persons on the occassion, Mehbooba Mufti emphasized the “relentless onslaught faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that their identity, rights, and dignity have come under severe attack, particularly in the past five years under the BJP.”
Mufti underscored “the need for a democratic resistance, urging the populace to fearlessly voice their grievances and stand united against oppression. “
She expressed her steadfast commitment to representing the aspirations of her people, despite facing personal and political targeting.
Advocating for a unified electoral response across all sections of society and geography in Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti called for sending fearless representatives to Parliament to echo the sentiments and pains of the region on a national platform. In her appeal for solidarity, Mufti emphasized the inclusive nature of the people’s response, calling on people from all religious and ethnic backgrounds to unite for the collective cause of Jammu and Kashmir’s identity and dignity. She appealed the carder of other parties like National Conference and Congress to support her “endeavour to strengthen the region’s voice against ongoing oppression.”
Responding to inquiries about her campaign promises, Mufti reiterated that her voice for the people served as her manifesto, underlining her unwavering dedication to amplifying their concerns and aspirations.
“Meri awaaz hi Mera Manshoor hai’”she said.
In response to questions regarding the PDP’s role in INDIA alliances, Mufti affirmed the party’s unconditional support for the Congress on two seats in Jammu. She emphasized the imperative of collective action against the BJP’s divisive agenda, stressing that unity is paramount in safeguarding the foundational principles of the nation.
“Our support to congress is unconditional without a rider for their support to us because we believe that unity is paramount in the fight for securing the democratic and constitutional ethos of our country,” she said.
Mufti praised the Congress manifesto as a comprehensive roadmap for addressing the socio-political challenges exacerbated by the BJP’s tenure. She highlighted the plight of the youth under the current dispensation and expressed confidence in the electorate’s ability to make informed choices.
“Congress that it’s the strongest voice against BjP’s regressive mission of darkness. Their manifesto is the best by any party in last seven decades and calling it separatist as by the Prime Minister is endorsing unemployment, poverty, inequality and anti minority policies. We endorse this manifesto and expect the people of the country to extend their support to it in the national interest
Mehbooba Mufti expressed regret over the inability to maintain unity among the PAGD allies, citing the unilateral announcement of candidates by the National Conference (NC). Mufti lamented the lack of collaboration and deliberation. Stating that the plight of people warranted to field joint candidates, but the NC’s actions left no option for PDP but to proceed independently.
Mufti highlighted Party’s candidate for central Kashmir Waheed ur Rehman Parra as a personification of the generation experiencing persecution and pressure under the current BJP dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir. She stressed the “importance of supporting candidates like Parra, who embodies the struggles and endurance of the youth amidst challenging times.”
