Mehbooba Rules Out Ties With BJP, Says No Govt Without PDP

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti firmly on Tuesday ruled out any potential alliance with BJP in Jammu and Kashmir and emphasised on PDP’s crucial role in forming the next government after the Assembly election.

Addressing party workers at the PDP headquarters in Srinagar, Mehbooba criticised the National Conference (NC) for seeking power through alliances rather than pursuing a clear agenda. “Since 1947, the NC has been forming alliances merely for government positions,” she stated.

Mufti asserted that while PDP’s primary focus is on its agenda rather than merely forming a government, no government could be formed without the PDP’s participation. “We formed a government with just 16 MLAs in 2002. This time, too, no government will be formed without the PDP,” she declared. Despite the PDP’s previous coalition with BJP in 2015, Mehbooba dismissed any possibility of renewing this alliance, citing the BJP’s reversal on key issues concerning Kashmir. She contrasted her party’s transparency with what she described as the NC’s secretive dealings.

She also called out certain police officers for harassing citizens, urging the Lieutenant Governor to ensure fair treatment ahead of the elections.
“I request the LG to stop this harassment and ensure a free and fair election process,” she said.