Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) on Tuesday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of undermining the political interests of Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the party’s decisions during its tenure in government contributed to the region’s political and institutional setbacks.
Responding to recent remarks by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar criticised the PDP’s political record and demanded a high-level investigation into alleged irregularities during the BJP-PDP coalition government.
Dar alleged that the PDP was formed in 1999 to weaken the NC’s demand for autonomy and questioned the political decisions of its founder, former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
He referred to the PDP’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the 2014 Assembly elections, despite the party having campaigned against the BJP, and accused the coalition government of paving the way for subsequent political developments in Jammu and Kashmir.
The NC spokesperson also criticised the PDP’s role in the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), alleging that the party had worked to weaken the alliance formed by regional parties after the August 2019 constitutional changes to pursue the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
Targeting the PDP’s tenure in government, Dar cited figures relating to civilian casualties, injuries, arrests and the use of the Public Safety Act (PSA) during the period following 2015. He claimed that 237 civilians were killed, more than 30,000 injured, around 3,500 suffered eye injuries and 1,025 lost vision in one or both eyes. He further claimed that around 31,000 people were arrested and more than 1,000 booked under the PSA.
These figures and allegations were part of the NC spokesperson’s statement.
Dar also accused the previous BJP-PDP government of irregularities in appointments to government institutions, alleging that relatives and associates of influential people were accommodated in positions at the expense of deserving candidates.
He called for a high-level investigation into alleged recruitment and other scandals during the BJP-PDP government, saying accountability was necessary to address grievances and ensure justice for affected candidates.
The PDP has not been quoted in the statement on the allegations raised by the NC.
