Jammu: In a clear attempt to lend his voice to the sensitivities of Kashmiris, Tassaduq Mufti, brother of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and a minister in her government, on Friday stated it clearly that the PDP had “no moral right” to continue in the coalition government with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir.
Tassaduq, a fresh face in the Kashmir politics, has virtually set the agenda for his party PDP’s meeting on Saturday. The party has been in alliance with the BJP for a little over three years. Tassaduq was inducted into the government and made Tourism Minister on December 28, 2017.
The PDP is facing a lot of political flak for sharing the alliance with the BJP whose two ministers Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga had sided with the Hindu agitators in Kathua in demanding a CBI inquiry into the rape and murder of an eight-year-old nomad girl.
Tassaduq told The Tribune: “I strongly believe that there needs to be a comprehensive shift in our approach and we must begin to make amends for all our mistakes.”
That was perhaps his clearest reference to the PDP’s alliance with the BJP under which the situation in Kashmir has deteriorated and the rate of civilian deaths has been quite high.
Emphasising his point, Tassaduq said: “We have no moral right to continue (in the government).”
Mehbooba to chair party meeting today
Srinagar: In the backdrop of the Kathua rape-murder case and civilian killings in Kashmir, the PDP will hold a meeting of party leaders and legislators under the chairmanship of its president and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti here on Saturday. Besides the two issues, the overall situation in Kashmir valley would be taken up at the meeting, which is being held ahead of the bi-annual Durbar move. Several other issues, including those raised by legislators in connection with their constituencies and law and order situation, would be taken up, Rafi Ahmad Mir, PDP spokesman, said. Legislators and senior party leaders would share their views on various issues, the spokesman added. TNS