Srinagar, May 6: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has accused the ruling National Conference (NC) of using religious scripture to distract from its shortcomings and failures. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, she urged the NC to refrain from involving the Quran in political discourse.
Mufti’s remarks came in response to a controversy involving NC’s chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq. Sadiq demanded that Mufti and her party members swear by the Quran, denying that they voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the Rajya Sabha polls held last year.
“For God’s sake, do not drag Quran into politics. They (NC) are doing this to hide their failures over the past two years of being in government. People are disheartened with them,” Mufti stated. Her statement highlights the political tension currently festering in Jammu and Kashmir, as the regional parties vie for public trust amid allegations and counter-allegations.
An RTI reply revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not appoint a chief agent for the Rajya Sabha elections in October 2022, which led to accusations from the National Conference. They alleged that Mufti’s three MLAs had sided with the BJP during the elections. This further escalated the ongoing rivalry between the two parties.
Mufti firmly defended her party, accusing the National Conference of attempting to shift focus from pressing issues facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Houses are being demolished under the garb of fighting drugs. Earlier the same thing was done under the pretext of fighting terrorism,” she lamented.
The PDP president added, “Employees are being summarily dismissed while open merit students are going through tormenting times. All this government has done so far is being a mute spectator.” Such comments reflect the discontent among the populace regarding the current administration’s management of critical issues like property rights and employment.
Political analysts believe that Mufti’s criticism may resonate with constituents grappling with dissatisfaction concerning the National Conference’s governance during tumultuous times. In an environment rife with leadership change in Jammu and Kashmir, established political figures like Mehbooba Mufti seek to recalibrate public perception.
Mufti concluded her address by affirming that while the NC is welcome to engage politically, it should maintain respect for religious texts and refrain from intertwining them with electoral strategies. This incident amplifies the ongoing discourse regarding the intersection of religion and politics in the region and highlights the need for accountability among elected officials.
