Even after announcing their participation in the District Development Council (DDC) polls under the banner of People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) beginning November 28, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti has not stopped playing “discordant” notes over the issue of restoring special status of the erstwhile State of J&K and the State flag.
In a veiled reference to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Mehbooba on Monday alleged, “Those moving with half pants and where their leader sits do not hoist the tricolour [at their headquarters] and they are giving us lessons on the national flag.”
Addressing a press conference before returning to the Kashmir valley, Mehbooba Mufti said, “My father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed picked up the national flag when they were being dismissed as ‘insects of filthy drain’ and subjected to social boycott”.
“We, including the BJP members, have taken an oath that we will affirm our faith in the Constitution of J&K and will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India. First, it was the J&K Constitution and then the sovereignty and integrity of the country. How is it, they cut one finger and leave the other, it is not right,” she said.
Asked whether she will hold the tricolour, Mehbooba Mufti said, “I had already replied to that. I have taken an oath of the J&K Constitution when I became the MLA for the first time and I affirm my faith in the Constitution of J&K and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India — both of which are interlinked. J&K flag and Indian flag, I will hold both these flags together.”
Cornering the BJP-led Centre Government over their poor handling of Kashmir affairs after the Abrogation of Article 370 Mehbooba Mufti also alleged the graph of militancy has witnessed a sharp rise in the last one year in J&k. She said the government may claim that the militancy is on the decline but the reality is 10-15 boys from a single village still go missing.
