(Rishitha Jaladi, Intern Journalist)SRINAGAR: Former J&K CM and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday vowed: “not to raise the other flag till Kashmir’s flag is restored”.
In her first presser since being released from 14 months of detention, Mehbooba said, “The ruling party at the Centre has already demolished the Constitution and our flag. The flag of Jammu and Kashmir was the only link with the other flag.” She didn’t specify if “the other flag” was the Tricolour.
Going beyond the goal set by the seven-party Gupkar Declaration alliance last week, the PDP president said “resolution of the Kashmir issue” was as much a part of her party’s agenda as restoration of the erstwhile state’s special status. “Kashmir is an issue nobody can turn a blind eye to. Our fight is not confined to the restoration of Article 370, but for the resolution of the Kashmir issue as well.”
Mehbooba accused BJP of trying to replace the Constitution with its manifesto and silence anyone calling out its strategy. “Anyone who is raising his or her voice on the nullification of Article 370 is being suppressed. The fact is that this government has failed to rise to the expectations of the people in terms of development and employment. To divert attention, the government is blocking minorities and also Kashmiris. To them, the people of J&K are expendable.”
On why PDP allied with BJP in 2014, Mehbooba said her late father and former CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed did so “to put the genie in the bottle” and ensure that the people of J&K were not left in the lurch. “We didn’t align with BJP for power. If you remember, my father made a statement on July 28, 2014, wherein he stated that he wants to work for the people of J&K. As far as BJP is concerned, he knew a tsunami was coming.”
Mehbooba, the last of the former CMs to be released from detention, denied that the seven-party alliance initiated by Srinagar MP and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah was a political vehicle for her or any of the other constituents. “I will be the first to give my blood for the cause, in case the need arises. We are united and we should fight in unison. It is not the fight of Farooq Abdullah, Sajad Lone (J&K People’s Conference president), or any other leader. It is a fight between one and all.”
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