Mehbooba Mufti, President, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), addressed a party workers’ convention in Budgam, where she criticized the National Conference (NC)-led administration for failing to fulfill its election promises and for stalling people-friendly legislative proposals in the Assembly.
She expressed gratitude to the residents of Budgam for what she termed as their rejection of unfairness, noting that they had elected a “young and bold voice” to the legislature. Mufti further claimed that several public welfare bills introduced by the PDP had been consistently blocked by the ruling party.
Mufti reiterated her call for establishing a National Law University (NLU) in Budgam, asserting that the commitment was made during the election campaign but abandoned after the results were declared.
She also voiced concern over what she described as the “systematic weakening” of the Urdu language, alleging efforts to reduce its significance in recruitment examinations, including for the post of Naib Tehsildar. She emphasized that Urdu remains a vital part of Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural, spiritual, and social identity.
On regional development issues, she highlighted growing unemployment, rising mental health struggles among young people, and delays in issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) for educational institutions such as Siraj-ul-Uloom and other schools located on government land, warning that students’ futures were being jeopardized.
Regarding substance abuse, Mufti demanded firm action against drug peddlers but cautioned against punishing innocent family members. She also raised the matter of undertrial prisoners held in distant jails, stating that legal efforts were underway to have them transferred closer to their homes.
She pointed out the difficulties faced by brick kiln operators, even when they had met regulatory norms, and criticized transportation policies, alleging that uneven deployment of Smart City buses was causing financial distress to taxi operators.
On cultural heritage preservation, Mufti alleged widespread corruption in hiring processes, claiming that deserving individuals were being overlooked due to political favoritism. She also criticized recent changes to reservation policies, stating that the modifications had left many aspiring candidates feeling disheartened and marginalized.
