ibn sultan
Baramulla, Apr 23:Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and president of the PDP on Thursday accused the government led by Chief Minister of failing to fulfill its pre-election promises, including providing one lakh jobs to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a workers’ convention at Dak Bungalow , Mufti said that nearly two years after coming to power, rising unemployment has pushed many young people into depression.
“Instead of jobs, the promises made by the National Conference have proved false. Their claims are now clearly visible on the ground,” she said.
Mufti stated that people had voted for the NC with expectations of safeguarding land rights, addressing religious concerns, and resolving electricity issues, but the government has failed to deliver on these fronts.
Drawing a comparison with the tenure of her father, , she said his government in 2002 functioned under difficult circumstances, including cross-border shelling, despite being in power for only six years.
“The National Conference ruled Jammu and Kashmir for decades. The comparison is clear,” she added.
The PDP chief also criticized the closure of the Uri-Muzaffarabad road, terming it a major setback for the region’s apple industry. She said the route, opened during the PDP’s tenure, could have helped traders access markets like Sopore and facilitated exports to other countries.
Mufti further alleged that fruit-laden trucks remain stranded for up to 15 days during peak season due to highway disruptions, severely impacting growers. She questioned whether Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had raised the issue with Union Home Minister .
Referring to last year’s terror attack in , she said several tourist destinations, including areas in Baramulla and upper reaches of , have been closed, affecting the livelihood of locals dependent on tourism and trekking activities.
Mufti also pointed out that the PDP currently has only four MLAs in the Union Territory, limiting its ability to exert pressure on the government.
“The Union Territory is in distress. People are suffering, but with just four MLAs, how much pressure can we build?” she said.
She added that the high voter turnout in recent elections reflected people’s hope for change, but alleged that the government’s performance on the ground has been disappointing.
