Won’t become CM even if PDP comes to power: Mehbooba Mufti

Jammu, July 12: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and People’s Democratic Party chief, Mehbooba Mufti Monday said that she will not become chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir if eve her party wins elections and comes to power.

Talking to media persons in Jammu, Mehbooba said that she does not aspires toe become the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir again, even if her party comes to power. “There are many leaders in the party who are fit for the post of chief minister, it is not like only Mehbooba Mufti can become the chief minister if the party comes to power,” she said.

She also said that after abrogation of Article 370 and 35A nothing has changed in Jammu and Kashmir in terms of development, nor any progress has been made as is being claimed by the Government of India.

She said that after the illegal abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and conversion of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories —Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, no progress has been made since then, while the people of Jammu have been most affected by the 05 August decision.

Our economy is being attacked. We are getting poorer with each passing day and as we were told by the center that there will be development in Jammu and Kashmir, but it is not seen anywhere here yet,” she said.

She also said that every day orders are coming and with each passing day a new command comes to us as recently the 149-year-old tradition in Jammu & Kashmir known as the ‘Darbar Move’, was ended, which was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh.

The PDP chief said that the Indian government is claiming that Jammu and Kashmir has joined with them after the removal of 370 as if J&K was not with them before. “I will never become the Chief Minister unless Article 370 is restored, even if our party comes to power,” he added.

Mehbooba further said that the only purpose of removing 370 was to plunder the resources of Jammu and Kashmir as they have to pay taxes everywhere these days, also the common masses are in trouble. “If the government’s strategy in Kashmir remains the same, I don’t think it will take long for us to become next Gujarat,” she said.

While replying to a question she said that if the Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Kashmir strategy was right then how she can be wrong, it is well known that the Kashmir issue can only be resolved through dialogue between Pakistan and India. (KNO)