Mufti on Coalition With the BJP: ‘Drank This Cup of Poison out of Compulsion’

Lauding the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the ceasefire initiative, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed to the Centre to show positive attitude towards Hurriyat, on Sunday. She was speaking at the first public rally after she stepped down as the chief minister of the state, following the break-up of the PDP-BJP alliance. Mufti addressed the people, who had gathered for the Raising Day – 19th foundation day of the PDP – at Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar.

ANIquoted her: “PDP took initiative for ceasefire during Ramzan. I appeal to the Centre to show positive attitude towards Hurriyat, and aim to bring them at the table to start dialogue.”

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PDP founding member and the only member of the parliament from the party, Muzaffar Hussain Baig was also present at the event, dispelling the rumours of internal turbulence between him and Mufti. He said, “Gai aur bhains ke naam par musalmano ka katal bandh karein warna naateeje ache nahi honge. Unnis sau saitalis mein ek partition pehele hi ho chuka hai. (Stop killing Muslims in the name of cow and buffalo, or else the consequence will be bad. One partition has already happened in 1947.)” Statement by Baig has come at a time when there has been a stark rise in the cases of lynching.

As per the reports, no one from among the disgruntled leaders turned up for the function.

Meanwhile, Mufti emphasised the importance of Hurriyat leaders in initiating the peace talks in Kashmir. She said, “I told Centre to release Hurriyat leaders from NIA custody so that peace will prevail in Kashmir. As many times I met PM Modi, I asked him to initiate dialogue with Pakistan and Hurriyat conference.”

Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Geelani has been under house arrest for over eight years.

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Talking about her party’s alliance with the BJP, Mufti said that she always had reservations about the coalition. However, her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had said that the coalition wasn’t meant to build infrastructure in the state, but was to end the suffering of the Kashmiris. Mufti had to take charge a year later – following her father’s demise. She said, “[D]rank this cup of poison out of compulsion.” She added, however, that she didn’t compromise during her time as the CM.

Mufti also urged the Centre to respond to the offer of friendship extended by the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. “Peace is in the interest of the subcontinent, our country and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

The Raising Day function saw a huge crowd attending the event. Mufti thanked people for participating in the event. “Overwhelmed by the love and affection of my workers who against all odds came to participate in PDP’s 19th Foundation day. Their dedication and commitment to its agenda is commendable,” she wrote on Twitter.

BJP had pulled out of the three-year-old alliance with the PDP on June 19. Currently, the state is under Governor’s rule, headed by NN Vohra.