Terming the Kashmir issue as “a core issue”, former J&K Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said it was unfortunate that many parties reduced the Kashmir issue to the demands of elections and Statehood.
“The BJP has succeeded in reducing the Kashmir issue to Statehood and elections. Many other parties have also joined it (in doing that). It?is an insult to thousands of people who died and those who became orphans in the past three decades. Kashmir has witnessed huge economic losses too,” Ms. Mufti said.
She said her party sees the Kashmir issue as “the core issue”. “The Kashmir issue remains the core issue for the PDP. We are for reconciliation,” Ms. Mufti said.
Reacting sharply to senior BJP leader Ram Madhav’s allegation of ex-militants joining regional mainstream parties, Ms. Mufti said, “Our party brought an end to the counter-insurgency force, called Ikhwan, which was created with surrendered militants. However, the PDP believes that those who surrender belong to this place and have the right to a dignified life after they surrender.”
In a sly dig at BJP, Ms. Mufti said it’s known which party is behind blackmailing ex-militants to join its fold in Kashmir.
Published - September 06, 2024 04:21 pm IST
