On Friday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) competing in all three parliamentary constituencies in Kashmir unveiled it’s manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.
In its manifesto, the party highlights the situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the Article 370 revocation in August 2019. The paper addresses topics like transferring power projects back to J&K, improving road connections, providing access to safe drinking water, promoting empowerment of women and youth, and enhancing infrastructure in government schools, among other issues.
The manifesto emphasizes the urgent necessity to speak out against the continuous attack on Kashmiris’ shared identity, land, jobs, and resources, as well as the infringement on the freedom of speech in Parliament.
The manifesto alleges Centre for significant alterations in state subject and land laws to the delegation of resources through awarding contracts to external parties.
“Developmental projects are even being assigned to individuals who are not from the local area, the statement reads.”
The leader of the PDP, running for Lok Sabha elections in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency that spans the Pir Panjal mountain range, also launched a party song for the elections. The PDP manifesto stated that significant changes have been made in state subject and land laws, as well as in outsourcing resources to outsiders through contract gifting. Additionally, the manifesto mentioned the dismissal of government employees for weak reasons and the criminalization of passports.
The PDP nominated young leader Wahid Para for the Srinagar seat and former Rajya Sabha member Fayaz Mir for the Baramulla seat. Para is being accused of terrorism by the National Investigation Agency.
Earlier today, the leader of PDP, Mehbooba Mufti, spearheaded the party’s efforts in Pulwama by drumming up support for the party’s candidate for the Srinagar constituency, Waheed ur Rahman Para. Mufti described his candidacy as essential for voicing the people’s concerns in Parliament during the current political turmoil in J&K. He stated that the PDP’s primary goal is to convey to the nation, through parliament, that the actions of the BJP in 2019 are not approved by the people.
The president of the PDP stated that the previous state has turned into a “open-air jail” with its young people stuck in prisons across various states and high levels of unemployment. Mufti stated that the BJP aims to take away the rights and resources of the people of J&K, forcing them into a form of bonded labor. “We are currently going through a challenging period.” Our sole weapon is not a stone or gun, but rather the vote, and we must use it immediately to respond to those seeking to besiege our conscience and identity.
Referring to her father, Mufti mentioned the importance of PDP’s government formation in J&K, highlighting the current challenging period.
“Voting is the only weapon we have to respond to those who seek to attack our values and beliefs – we must use it now.”
During its governance under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh, the PDP highlighted its contribution in providing Kashmiris with optimism and pride. Mufti stated that PDP is still dedicated to addressing the Kashmir issue through discussions and coming to an agreement with all parties involved.
