Says Mehbooba must answer for 2015 ‘betrayal’
Leads party functionaries in offering tributes to Sheikh Mansoor
SRINAGAR:The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference senior leader and Minister for Health & Medical Education, School & Higher Education and Social Welfare, Sakina Masood Itoo Monday led party functionaries in offering floral tributes and Fateha to veteran NC leader Shaheed Sheikh Muhammad Mansoor on his 36th martyrdom anniversary in Shopian.
A commemorative event was held at Circuit House Shopian to remember the life and sacrifice of the slain leader, remembered as one of the tallest stalwarts of the National Conference who laid down his life for democratic values, party ideals and the unity of the country.
Addressing the gathering, Sakina Itoo said Sheikh Muhammad Mansoor belonged to the political school of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah and Madar-e-Meharban, leaders who nurtured generations of workers committed to democracy, secularism and public service.
The commemorative function was organised by former MLA and Vice President South Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Rafi. Among others MLA Pulwama Ghulam Mohi Ud Din Mir, State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, former DDC member Mukhtar Ahmad Bandh, YNC District President Sheikh Aamir were present on the occasion.
Sakina said the sacrifices of leaders like Mansoor Sahib form the moral backbone of National Conference history, where party leaders not only endured imprisonment and repression but also sacrificed their lives for the dignity and aspirations of the people.
Launching a blistering attack on Mehbooba Mufti, PDP and BJP, Sakina said the growing public support for the Omar Abdullah-led government has left the PDP-BJP duo politically restless, directionless and frustrated.
“The Omar government, despite enormous challenges, is delivering on governance, welfare and accountability. Free bus rides for women, rationalisation of the academic calendar, passage of the Private Universities Bill, administrative reforms, strengthening public services and effective handling of crises have restored public confidence. This resurgence of governance is deeply unsettling for PDP and BJP whose politics survives on deception, diversion and manufactured controversy,” she said.
She said unlike previous regimes, NC ministers, legislators and grassroots workers remain accessible and present among the people across both Kashmir and Jammu.
“People are witnessing the difference between governance and political theatrics. Omar Sahib believes in accountability and delivery, not optics and emotional exploitation,” she added.
Accusing PDP and BJP of maintaining a covert political understanding, Sakina said both parties continue to raise “manufactured non-issues” to remain politically relevant.
“From Rajya Sabha elections to selective outrage campaigns, PDP has repeatedly acted as BJP’s political cushion in Jammu and Kashmir. Their desperation stems from the fact that people have completely seen through their politics,” she said.
Taking direct aim at Mehbooba Mufti, Sakina said PDP must first answer for its own political record before attempting to lecture others.
“They must explain the betrayal of the 2014 mandate through their alliance with BJP, the scars of 2016, the implementation of anti-people measures like SARFAESI and GST, the erosion of JK Bank’s autonomy, rampant nepotism, backdoor appointments and the atmosphere of instability that consumed Jammu and Kashmir during their rule,” she said.
“The people of South Kashmir still carry the trauma of those years. Coffins entered homes because the PDP chose power over principle. Those memories cannot be erased through television soundbites and manufactured outrage,” she added.
Addressing the gathering, State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said Mehbooba Mufti has once again chosen fearmongering and political theatrics over responsible opposition, alleging that her statements increasingly mirror the RSS-BJP narrative aimed at disrupting governance and creating uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir.
Imran said the people have given an unequivocal mandate to the Omar Abdullah-led government to reverse the political blunders, administrative misrule and betrayals committed during the PDP regime, a process that is now firmly underway.
“PDP stands thoroughly exposed today. From facilitating BJP at crucial moments to indulging in manufactured outrage for political survival, the party has repeatedly acted as a silent enabler of BJP’s agenda in Jammu and Kashmir,” Imran said.
He added that no amount of political whitewashing can erase the scars of 2016 or the public memory of PDP’s opportunistic alliance and ideological surrender for power.
Taking a sharp dig at Mehbooba Mufti, Imran advised her to abandon headline-driven politics and embrace constructive opposition instead of peddling hollow narratives and perpetual alarmism.
Earlier, a Majlis of Fateha Khawani was held at the martyr’s resting place where party leaders and workers paid homage to the legacy and sacrifice of Shaheed Sheikh Muhammad Mansoor.