Mehbooba Mufti Defends PDP's Role in South Kashmir, Criticizes BJP Job Promises

PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti emphasized her party's significant contributions to South Kashmir, criticizing the BJP and other parties during a media briefing. Highlighting PDP's achievements, she focused on improving educational infrastructure and job schemes while pointing out BJP's unfulfilled job promises.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti staunchly defended her party's contributions to Jammu and Kashmir, particularly South Kashmir, during a Thursday media briefing. Mufti asserted that the PDP has played a pivotal role in tackling the region's challenges. 'The people of South Kashmir have realized what the PDP has done for them. We freed them from the biggest difficulties of POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) and task forces,' she declared.

Mufti lambasted other political parties for their lack of substantive impact. She stated, 'The people understand that only the PDP can shield them from the BJP's attacks on our land and jobs.' Highlighting PDP's achievements, Mufti cited the establishment of medical colleges and universities and claimed that no other party has made such significant contributions. Addressing the forthcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Mufti emphasized the crucial nature of the PDP's past work and future promises. 'Our challenge is to build upon our previous accomplishments. We have opened colleges, universities, and introduced schemes like Rehbar-e-Taleem and Rehbar-e-Khel,' she said.

Mufti also took aim at the BJP's job promises. 'BJP says 5 lakh youth will be given jobs, but they also claimed 2 crore jobs nationwide every year. Even 1 crore of those have not materialized in the last 10 years. Lying requires no effort,' she remarked. Earlier on Sunday, Mufti had criticized the National Conference (NC), stating, 'Without the PDP, the NC would still be operating in a dictatorial manner in Jammu and Kashmir.'

'The public knows that the PDP established good governance in the state. Universities, colleges, and AIIMS were all set up by the PDP government,' she added. Mufti's comments come as political parties ramp up their campaigns for the upcoming Assembly elections. Polling will occur in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1, with votes counted on October 8. Both the National Conference and PDP have highlighted the restoration of Article 370 in their manifestos, while the BJP insists that Article 370 is a thing of the past.

(With inputs from agencies.)