Srinagar, May 6: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has sharply criticized the ruling National Conference (NC) for allegedly dragging religious scripture into politics to deflect attention from its failures in governance over the past two years.
Mufti stated, “For God’s sake, do not drag the Quran into politics. The NC is resorting to such tactics to mask its shortcomings. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are disheartened by this government,” during a press interaction in Srinagar.
Her comments followed a demand from the NC’s chief spokesman, Tanvir Sadiq, and MLA Zadibal, who urged that Mufti and her MLAs swear by the Quran regarding their voting behavior in the Rajya Sabha elections held last year.
An RTI response disclosed that the PDP did not appoint a chief agent for the Rajya Sabha elections conducted in October, prompting accusations from the NC that three PDP MLAs voted for the BJP.
In her rebuttal, Mehbooba Mufti underscored that the National Conference seeks to create distractions to shift blame from its governance issues. “Houses are being demolished under the guise of fighting drugs, just as it was previously done under the pretext of combating terrorism. Employees face abrupt dismissals, while students relying on merit endure relentless hardships,” she added.
Mufti insisted that the government is merely a bystander in the face of these pressing issues and characterized their responses as inadequate and detached from the reality faced by citizens.
She clarified that while the NC is free to engage politically with the PDP, it must not involve religious scriptures in their political discourse. “Using the Quran as a political tool undermines its sanctity and distracts from real issues the public grapples with,” she remarked.
The growing tension between these political parties reflects broader discontent among the populace regarding governance and accountability. As opposition leaders increasingly voice their concerns about essential social issues, this clash underscores the pressing need for more constructive political engagement.
