Srinagar, July 28: Organising Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Mehboob Beg, on Sunday criticised the apparent “excitement” of some regional parties over the upcoming state assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
He questioned whether these “overzealous” forces had taken into consideration the curtailment of powers of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and the newly constituted government.
Using an analogy, Dr Beg described the decline in the prime minister’s power, saying, “We have come down from Wazir-e-Azam to Wazir-e-Ahra and (the present) Wazir-e-Adna.”
The former MP noted the perceived diminishing role of the Prime Minister’s Office and called on these parties to reflect on this reality rather than simply seeking power.
Referring to National Conference leader Agha Ruhullah, who won the assembly elections from Srinagar, Dr Mehboob also said those who voiced the concerns of ordinary people instead of strictly toeing the party line were successful.
He said that in Baramulla, candidates who were perceived as proxy or indecisive candidates lost.
Dr Beg said the PDP is the only political force that “consistently represents the sentiments” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Citing the recent development in which the Director General of Police (DGP) made statements targeting political organisations, he said PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti was the only leader who stood up to the DGP while other leaders wavered on how to respond.
“Mehbooba Mufti’s strong reaction has forced the Jammu and Kashmir police to offer an explanation,” he said.
