Peoples Democratic Party is contemplating to contest on all six parliamentary seats in Jammu and Kashmir and is preparing candidates for the same, the party president Mehbooba Mufti said on Tuesday.
“So far no talks or discussions have been held for an alliance with anyone. These all are speculations and rumors. If every political party is contesting elections, it is unfair to expect that PDP will not field candidates and support Congress. NC-Congress pre-poll alliance is a matter between the two parties,” she said, when asked about the PDP’s possibility of alliance with any other party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
On launch of a party by former IAS officer Shah Faesal, Mehbooba said: “Everybody in the country has the right to contest elections. National Conference believes that entire Jammu and Kashmir is their personal estate. Omar (Abdullah) thinks that if any new party comes into existence, it might take a share from NC’s estate. They did the same when my father (Mufti Mohammad Sayeed) headed Congress and then launched PDP. We live in a democratic country and everyone has the right to make own political party and contest elections”.
About PDP’s alliance with the BJP and its fallout, Mehbooba said: “PM Narendra Modi got very handsome mandate and by shaking hands with him, Mufti sahib provided him an opportunity to win hearts of Kashmiris and become a global leader by solving Kashmir issue but unfortunately he (Modi) failed. He also failed to address issues of farmers, unemployment, GST”.
About opening of the Kartarpur corridor, Mehbooba said: “It is a very welcome step and more such links have to be opened between the two countries so that the people-to-people contact will be established and tensions along the borders defused”.
On Balakote air strikes, she said: “Till 2019 elections are on, these encounters, strikes and cross-border firing will remain in news because unfortunately an atmosphere has been created in the country where tough posturing in Jammu and Kashmir, confrontation with Pakistan are earning praise and votes. Things are happening as per script and you will see the change only after election. All genuine issues have been taken over by Balakote”.
On BJP’s ‘chowkidar’ campaign, the PDP chief said: “Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi and others fled from the country by looting tax payers. What kind of chowkidar is this who can’t prevent thefts?”