National Conference responsible for mistrust between Centre and J&K, says Mufti
Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti accused the National Conference of frequently changing its stance on Kashmir.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday blamed the National Conference (NC) for creating an atmosphere of suspicion between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a workers' convention in Srinagar, the former chief minister alleged that the NC frequently shifted its position regarding the region.
Mufti claimed that the NC founder, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, signed the accession to India 79 years ago but later altered the party's narrative to demand a plebiscite. She stated that the party called for a plebiscite for 22 years before accepting the chief minister's post following the 1975 Indira-Sheikh Accord.
The PDP president alleged that Sheikh Abdullah accepted the chief minister position out of a desire for power. She said this caused doubt to be planted in the minds of Indian leaders regarding the people of Kashmir, despite the special status and constitution provided by leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr B R Ambedkar.
Mufti's comments follow a statement by NC president Farooq Abdullah, who suggested Pakistan is protecting Kashmiris. According to Moneycontrol, former BJP president Ravinder Raina criticised Abdullah's remarks, questioning why Pakistan, which India says supports cross-border terrorism, would be viewed as a well-wisher of the people.
Mufti argued that the Kashmir issue should be resolved through dialogue and opening traditional trade routes rather than through force. She also claimed that Abdullah's recent comments serve as a signal to Delhi that Kashmiris are aligned with Pakistan.