Peoples Democratic President Mehbooba Mufti has said the BJP’s claims of development, zero tolerance for corruption and restoration of grassroots democracy in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have been proven as mere rhetoric.
Addressing a well-attended one-day party convention in Jammu, Mehbooba while referring to the recent visit of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah to IIOJK and his address at two public rallies in Rajouri and Baramulla said “They (BJP) are making false claims to mislead the public”.
“Other than attacking the three families, he talked about development (post abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019), zero tolerance for corruption and democracy…I want to ask the people of Jammu whether his claims are true or false,” she said.
Mehbooba had to abruptly end her 25-minute speech after she felt uneasiness. She alleged that the BJP has always misled the people of Jammu by raising the bogey of discrimination that Kashmiris were their enemies. She said the party had promised “streams of milk and honey” to the Jammu region after the revocation of the Article 370.
“While nothing happened on the ground, they are now talking about installing a Hindu chief minister. Who is going to decide it? Voters or the BJP,” the PDP chief asked, adding when it had the opportunity to appoint the Lt Governor, chief secretary and the advisors, it brought people from outside J&K.
“Are there none capable of holding these positions? The people from Jammu could have a better understanding of the local issues and be available to the people to address their grievances,” she said.
In an apparent reference to Shah’s remarks that stone-pelting is invisible, the PDP leader said despite utilising all its forces and draconian laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Public Safety Act, they have failed to control the situation in Kashmir despite turning it into a jai”.
She said that Modi administration was deliberately stopping Kashmiri apple fruit from reaching outside markets as a punishment to people, and added that the transporters of Jammu are also suffering immensely due to this policy.
“When you are stopping Kashmiri apples to reach outside markets, you are also harming the interests of Jammu transporters who have taken huge amounts of loans,” she said.—KMS
