Early Times Report
Jammu, May 22: Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has accused Mehbooba Mufti, the leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), of avoiding confrontation with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah’s remarks come after Mufti reaffirmed her commitment to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. In an interview with a news agency, Abdullah criticized Mufti for not campaigning in favor of Congress candidates in Jammu. He alleged that Mufti’s actions were aimed at appeasing the BJP. Abdullah questioned how Mufti could claim that the PDP was part of the INDIA bloc when she avoided supporting Congress candidates. He questioned Mehbooba Mufti for not campaigning in favour of Congress candidates on Jammu-Reasi and Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seats of Jammu province. He said that on two Jammu seats, there was a direct fight between BJP and Congress but Mehbooba Mufti intentionally avoided campaigning on these seats to keep the Saffron Party in good humour. Important to mention here both the National Conference and the PDP supported Congress candidates on two Lok Sabha seats of Jammu province. The top leadership of the National Conference including Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah Omar criticized Mehbooba for not campaigning in favor of Congress candidates in Jammu. Omar alleged that Mehbooba's actions were aimed at appeasing the BJP. On two Jammu seats, there was a direct fight between BJP and Congress but Mehbooba intentionally avoided campaigning on these seats Omar also held Mehbooba responsible for the disintegration of the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). campaigned for Congress candidates namely Choudhary Lal Singh and Raman Bhalla on Udhampur-Doda and Jammu-Reasi seats respectively. Although PDP workers campaigned for Congress candidates, Mehbooba Mufti remained conspicuously absent from campaigning on two seats in Jammu province. The National Conference (NC) and the PDP both supported Congress candidates in two Lok Sabha seats in Jammu province. While NC leaders, including Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, campaigned for Congress candidates, Mufti remained conspicuously absent. Abdullah also held Mufti responsible for the disintegration of the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). He pointed out that all PAGD constituents, except the PDP, were jointly contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite recent tensions within the PAGD, the alliance continues to advocate for the restoration of Article 370 and safeguard the interests of Jammu and Kashmir residents. Mufti, on the other hand, reiterated her commitment to the INDIA bloc, citing her party’s ideological alignment with the Congress. While the Congress supports the National Conference candidate in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, Mufti emphasized her party’s determination to remain part of the INDIA bloc. |