Jammu: Launching a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing politics over the issues of Taliban, Afghanistan and Pakistan to garner votes.
She alleged the BJP’s rule has brought miseries to the people of India and left Jammu and Kashmir “destroyed”.
Addressing a rally organised by the PDP’s youth here, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said it is not Hindus but the democracy and India which are in danger under the BJP’s rule.
“Jammu and Kashmir is in trouble and so is the entire country...they say Hindus are in danger but they are not in danger and in fact it is India and the democracy which are in danger because of them,” she said, PTI reported.
Continuing her outburst against the BJP, Mufti said the saffron party will start cashing on the opportunity of Taliban and Afghanistan as the elections in different states come nearer, adding they will bring Pakistan and drones into picture if it would not work.
“They will not talk about China which has intruded into Ladakh because they do not get votes by talking about that country. If you want to frighten people, talk about Taliban, Afghanistan and Pakistan and do something here and there and seek votes,” Mufti said.
“...They do not have anything to sell to the people and therefore they will use Pakistan and J-K to garner votes. They have destroyed J-K and are using sticks to oppress the people who are not allowed to speak openly for their rights," she added.
Referring to the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the PDP chief said: “The farmers’ agitation, growing unemployment, inflation and other issues facing the country should have been the focus of our debates, but there is no discussion on these important issues.”
“Since the elections in UP are drawing closer, there will be more discussion on Taliban and Afghanistan,” she added.
The PDP chief alleged the ruling BJP at the Centre is using crores of rupees on self-projection and taxing people by raising petrol and diesel prices to fill its coffers and use the money to “buy MLAs of other parties and use government agencies to intimidate those who reject its offer”.
Asserting the people of Jammu and Kashmir have lost their hope with the BJP government, which abrogated Article 370, Mufti said the Muslim majority state would have never joined India if the saffron party would have been at the helm during partition.
ALSO READ: Who Is Charanjit Singh Channi? Punjab’s First Dalit Chief Minister Set To Take Oath On Monday
“During our recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, I told him that you have destroyed J-K where nobody is allowed to speak openly,” Mufti said.
“The problem is now the same everywhere in the country, where activists and actors like Sonu Sood who does a wonderful job during lockdown crises are facing enforcement directorate raids,” she added.