Senior National Conference leader and Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo, launched a blistering critique of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, accusing her of putting political ambition ahead of public welfare and blaming her for key events that led to the loss of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood.
Responding to media queries about Mehbooba Mufti’s recent outreach efforts, Itoo argued that the PDP chief’s political choices were largely responsible for the current crises in the region, including the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A, the reduction of the former state to a Union Territory, and the subsequent suffering of its people.
Itoo claimed that after the PDP-BJP coalition government collapsed in 2018, NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah extended an unconditional offer of support to Mehbooba Mufti to prevent the BJP from maintaining its grip on Jammu and Kashmir. However, she alleged that the offer was refused for political reasons. “When the BJP pulled its support, Dr. Abdullah offered unconditional backing without asking for any ministry or position. The only goal was to keep the BJP out and protect J&K’s interests. But she rejected the offer because power mattered more to her than the people,” Itoo stated.
The minister asserted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir ultimately paid the price for the PDP-BJP alliance. “Today, we have neither statehood nor Article 370 nor Article 35A. Thousands have endured hardships, many have been imprisoned, and J&K has suffered a huge political cost. The decisions made during that era led us to this point,” she added.
Itoo also touched on political developments following the August 2019 constitutional changes, noting that Dr. Farooq Abdullah had repeatedly called for unity among regional parties to collectively defend J&K’s interests. “Farooq Sahib consistently urged for political unity and a common platform to protect our people’s rights and identity. Unfortunately, Mehbooba Mufti did not back such efforts and remained fixated on regaining power,” she alleged. The NC leader further accused the PDP chief of putting her own political aspirations ahead of broader public concerns at critical junctures in J&K’s recent history.
Earlier in the day, Mehbooba Mufti had written to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, opposition leaders, and civil society members, seeking a joint approach to the Prime Minister and Home Minister to address J&K’s issues. Commenting on recent demolition and anti-encroachment drives, Itoo criticized what she termed selective enforcement of the law and demanded equal treatment for all violators. “If the poor are being targeted, then influential individuals who have allegedly occupied large land tracts must also face action. The law cannot apply differently to the powerful and the powerless,” she said.
Reaffirming her party’s stance, Itoo stated that the National Conference remains dedicated to restoring statehood and securing the political, constitutional, and economic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
