Iltija Mufti Promises Hope and Security for Jammu and Kashmir

Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 16: Iltija Mufti, the PDP candidate from the Bijbehara assembly constituency and daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, has pledged to make the people of Jammu and Kashmir feel safe, secure, and dignified. She emphasized her responsibility to address the anxieties of the people regarding land and job security.

In an interview, Iltija Mufti stated, “My responsibility is that I become a ray of hope for the people. People for five years are not left with any hope. The youths here are unemployed, and prices are rising. So it is my responsibility to give them hope and security. People must feel safe, secure, and dignified. They have been inflicted with the insecurity of getting deprived of their lands and jobs.”

When asked about the perception that the abrogation of Article 370 was due to the PDP, she responded, “People here love PDP. It is a wrong and generic statement.”

Iltija also addressed comments made by National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, who accused her mother of bringing destruction to Jammu and Kashmir. She remarked, “He is stressed right now. He is contesting from two constituencies. Don’t take him seriously. He is very nervous right now.”

The PDP has promised the restoration of statehood in its election manifesto, placing the responsibility on the BJP-led central government. Iltija commented, “You need to ask the BJP. They also said that 10 lakhs will be deposited in everybody’s bank accounts. Nobody received it.”

Jammu and Kashmir will hold elections in three phases starting from September 18. The region has 88.06 lakh eligible voters, with 90 assembly constituencies, including seven reserved for SCs and nine for STs. The election phases are scheduled for September 18, September 25, and October 1, with counting on October 8.