PDP President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, while releasing the manifesto, strongly supported INDIA bloc partners, Congress and National Conference.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a firm stance in its manifesto released on Saturday, August 24, 2024, prioritizing the resolution of the Kashmir issue, the resumption of India-Pakistan talks, and the repeal of laws like the Public Safety Act (PSA), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and Enemy Property Act. The manifesto also emphasizes restoring press freedom as a key goal.
PDP President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, while releasing the manifesto, ruled out any future alliance with the BJP. Instead, she pledged her support to the INDIA bloc partners, Congress, and the National Conference (NC). “Power and seats aren’t a priority for the PDP. We will back the NC-Congress alliance if they embrace our agenda,” Ms. Mufti stated.
The manifesto emphasizes that the revocation of special status has “further complicated the Kashmir issue and intensified the region’s sense of alienation.” It underscores the party’s “steadfast commitment” to resolving the Kashmir issue, recognizing this resolution as essential for breaking the persistent cycle of violence and unrest in Jammu and Kashmir.
The PDP manifesto highlights the political approaches of former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, emphasizing the belief that meaningful dialogue is the only path forward. The manifesto advocates for diplomatic initiatives between India and Pakistan, focusing on conflict resolution, confidence-building measures, and regional cooperation.
Regarding cross-LoC trade, the PDP reaffirms its commitment to “establishing full connectivity across the Line of Control (LoC) for trade and social exchange.” The party also supports the idea of creating a regional free trade area and a shared economic market to foster greater economic cooperation.
The PDP also pledged to review and correct cases of “unjust job terminations” to ensure fair treatment and job security for all employees. The party plans to provide free legal aid to prisoners, restore the Waqf Board to its former glory, reinstate the Darbar move, and create a special cell to help youth and their families with passport-related issues. Additionally, the PDP promises free electricity to all temples and shrines.
In terms of governance, the PDP vowed to regularize 60,000 daily wage workers, reintroduce the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), and provide a disturbed area allowance for J&K Police.
Omar Abdullah Mocks Mehbooba Mufti’s Election Proposal: ‘Avoid Fielding Candidates’
Omar Abdullah’s comments followed Mehbooba Mufti’s statement, in which she offered that the PDP would refrain from contesting any seats in the upcoming elections if the Congress-NC coalition agreed to adopt her party’s agenda, emphasizing her willingness to support the alliance for the greater good of the region.
National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah playfully challenged PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, suggesting that their manifestos seem to share similar goals, and humorously proposed that the PDP should consider not running candidates against the Congress-NC alliance, given the apparent alignment of their agendas.
“You’ve already embraced our agenda, so there’s hardly any distinction left between our plans. Therefore, why not refrain from fielding candidates and join us in creating a brighter future for Jammu and Kashmir?” he added.
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