Anantnag- The Lok Sabha elections are not about addressing the day-to-day development issues but safeguarding the identity of Jammu and Kashmir and saving its resources, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said on Saturday.
The former chief minister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state, who is contesting the general elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, took part in a roadshow in the Pahalgam area of south Kashmir as part of her campaign.
“This election is not about building roads or water and electricity supply. This election is about safeguarding the identity of Jammu and Kashmir, its youngsters and their dignity, and saving Jammu and Kashmir’s resources,” the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief told reporters.
Mehbooba said she feels an affection towards the people of Pahalgam as her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was fond of them.
“I have an affection for this area as my father was fond of this area. He did a lot of work here and I am thankful to the people who came to welcome me. This is my own area and I will address their development needs when I win,” she said.
The Anantnag-Rajouri constituency goes to the polls in the third phase on May 7.
‘Consider Lok Sabha Polls As Referendum’
Meanwhile the PDP’s Srinagar candidate on Saturday appealed to Kashmir’s youngsters to consider the general elections as a “referendum” to send to New Delhi a message about their “dissatisfaction” with the Centre’s decisions post August 2019.
Waheed Parra, who is also the youth wing chief of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said there is a need to send a message “that you (New Delhi) should not accept the silence of Kashmir as its acceptance”.
He told reporters during an election campaign at HMT in the city’s outskirts, “I think the main aim and issue of this election, especially for us, is not about who is against us. The people in Srinagar, especially the youngsters of Kashmir, should not consider these elections as less than a referendum.”
“Do not think they (people of Kashmir) are happy with you (on decisions post August 2019). They are not. There are many reasons behind it. The future of the people, especially youngsters, is uncertain,” he said.
In August 2019, the Centre abrogated Article 370, which bestowed a special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. It also bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into the Union Territories of Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Parra said, “They are scared. They do not understand how they will get the feeling of security. That’s why I appeal to the youngsters of Srinagar because when they set a trend, it spreads throughout Kashmir.”
The people of Kashmir need assurances from Parliament about their identity and resources being safeguarded, the PDP leader said.
“The election is not about winning or losing. The issue is whether we can send a message to New Delhi that the people of Kashmir are not happy and if we can convey our apprehensions that our land, identity, resources are in danger,” Parra said.
“We feel that all these things are in danger until the people of Jammu and Kashmir get a solid assurance from Parliament. Until we get it, there will be trouble,” he said.
Srinagar goes to the polls in the fourth phase on May 13.
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