Srinagar,April 19 (Scoop News)-In the midst of a heavy downpour, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti arrived in Pulwama on Friday, greeted by a warm reception from party leaders and supporters. Amid the inclement weather, the PDP Chief wasted no time in rallying support for the party's candidate for the Srinagar constituency, Waheed-Ur Rahman Para, emphasizing his candidacy as crucial in representing the voice of the people in parliament amidst the ongoing political crises in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba while addressing people said that the main purpose of the PDP to seek votes is to tell the country through parliament that what BJP has done to us in 2019 is not acceptable to us. “The unilateral decisions, stifling of just voices and erosion of constitutional guarantees are unacceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We will tell this to the people of the country in parliament. This is the reason why attempts to divide our votes must be foiled. Para is eminently qualified to represent the voices besides being able to maintain connection with the roots that he had developed as party’s youth leader since inception,” She said.
The PDP President highlighted a grim picture of the current state of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir, lamenting the transformation of the erstwhile state into an "open-air prison." She highlighted the plight of the people, with youth languishing in jails in different states and unemployment rates soaring. Mehbooba launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of seeking to strip away the rights and resources of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, pushing them towards a state of bonded labor.
Recalling the tumultuous past of the region, PDP President invoked the legacy of PDP founder, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, crediting him with reigniting hope and restoring dignity to the people during times of political turmoil. "When POTA was imposed in the state and SOG besides other gunmen were unleashing terror, people had lost all hopes. It was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who arrogated the responsibility of according people a dignified life upon himself. Things changed and people heaved a sigh of relief when for the first time PDP formed the government in Jammu and Kashmir. The present time is a testing time as well. Not stone or gun- vote is our only weapon and we must use it now to give befitting reply to the elements who are out there to besiege our conscience and identity," Mehbooba said in her address.
She also urged people to unite against attempts by Delhi to divide their votes, emphasizing Para as the most suitable candidate to represent their interests in parliament.
Simultaneously, the PDP welcomed a notable addition to its ranks, with Javed Rahim, a prominent political figure and District Development Council (DDC) member, joining the party fold. Welcoming Rahim into the PDP, Waheed-Ur Rahman Para, along with district President Adv Baari Andrabi and other party members, expressed gratitude for his decision to align with their cause.
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