Mehbooba says no to elections, attacks BJP
By: Tariq Shah VOV
Srinagar
Mehbooba Mufti in her first press conference after the detention on Friday afternoon said that unless people of Jammu and Kashmir do not get their rights back as they existed on August 4, 2019 there would be no participation in elections or any other political activity.
She said that the entire focus would be on the restoration of article 370 and how to move ahead to make it a public resistance. Stressing for the separate flag of Jammu and Kashmir she said that she will not raise any other flag it is returned.
Attacking the BJP and its policies Mehbooba said that unfortunately the Modi government is trying to run the country on its party manifesto rather than on the constitution. She claimed that BJP has demolished the constitution and has trampled over the rights of minorities and Dalits. Mehbooba said that this regime is not going to last forever and there would be a healthy change in the politics of the country.
“Our fight is not confined for the restoration of Article 370, but for the resolution of Kashmir issue as well. Kashmir issue is an issue that needs to be resolved as thousands of people sacrificed their lives” Mehbooba said.
After Farooq Abduallah’s recent remarks that the struggle will continue even if he is hanged Mehbooba said that she will be the first person among the leaders to give her blood for this cause in case the need arises.
Meanwhile the KNO added “Since Article 370 was abrogated, the government left no stone unturned to hurt the sentiments of people by taking all the anti-people decisions. They don’t want people of Jammu and Kashmir. People of JK are expendable for them,” she added.
Asked about her statement regarding the flag before the abrogation of Article 370, the former chief minister said that they are not going to raise any other flag till the flag of Jammu and Kashmir is returned.
“The ruling party has already demolished the constitution as well as the flag as the party used the flag (tricolor) in a pro-rapists rally in Jammu. The flag of Jammu and Kashmir was the only reason behind the relation with the other flag,” she said.
She while replying to a query said, whether Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory or a State, Mehbooba Mufti is not here for power.
“We didn’t ally with BJP for power. If you remember my father made a statement on 28 July 2014 wherein he stated that he wants to work for JK people. By forging an alliance with the BJP, my father tried to put jinn into the bottle. He knew a Tsunami is coming,” she added.
She also stated that it was not the alliance with BJP that led to the abrogation of Article 370 as everything was done from the parliament. “It was the parliament that was misused. Parliament had no right to do this. We stood like a wall for Article 370. It was only because of releasing stone pelters, Jamaatis and returning the bodies of militants to their families that the bonhomie with BJP,” she said.
Asked whether she has any regret of forging an alliance, Ms. Mufti said she regrets for posing a faith on the leader from that party who have demolished the constitution of the country, who stole everything from J-K. She also added that she has been a street fighter and coming on roads is nothing new for her.
About elections, she said that “Mehbooba has nothing to do with the elections.” However, she said that party leaders will it together and the signatories of Peoples Alliance will also sit and take any decision accordingly.
She added that BJP is dividing people on caste and religion, but “we have united and will also unite people.”
While replying to a query, Ms. Mufti said she know the Article 370 case is currently subjudice but you need to create an atmosphere on the ground.
Asked about Geelani’s refusal to talk with the delegation from centre, Mehbooba said the refusal to meet the delegation led to the huge losses, adding that “It was the not delegation of BJP leaders. If Geelani was not willing to talk, he should have at least allowed them to enter the house. But restricting their entry in the home has portrayed different picture of Kashmir,” she said.
