Vikrant Shekhawat : Aug 26, 2024, 09:27 AM
J&K Election 2024: Political activities are at their peak regarding the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti has recently announced that her party is ready to support the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance in the upcoming elections, provided they recognize the PDP's agenda. Mufti stressed that if Congress and NC accept the proposed agenda of the PDP, then her party is ready to support the alliance.Mehbooba Mufti said at the launch of her election manifesto on August 24 that for her this election is not just an issue of seat sharing, but it is a fight for the honor and solution of Jammu and Kashmir. She told that the big goal of her party is to solve the problem of Kashmir, which is more important than any alliance or seat sharing.The PDP manifesto includes a promise to restore Articles 370 and 35A, as well as to start diplomatic talks between India and Pakistan and ensure the honorable return of Kashmiri Pandits.In the 2014 assembly elections, the PDP had won 28 seats, while the BJP had won 25, NC 15, and Congress 12. The PDP and BJP had formed a coalition government together, but the BJP withdrew support after the death of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in 2018.Now, Jammu and Kashmir will go to polls in three phases: on September 18, 25, and October 1, and the counting of votes will be done on October 4. These elections are the first assembly elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.If they are ready to accept the agenda, then our support will also be thereMufti said, 'Jammu and Kashmir has given the answer to the BJP government from the Lok Sabha elections that there are problems in Jammu and Kashmir. The removal of Article 370 has made it more complicated. Whenever we form an alliance with any party, we have a purpose, an agenda. What do we have to do? That's why I said that if they (Congress) are ready to accept our agenda, then we are ready to support them.'One of our big goals - MuftiEarlier on August 24, Mehbooba Mufti had commented that the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are important for her. During the launch of the PDP manifesto, Mufti said, 'For me, this election is not about statehood or seat sharing. We have a bigger goal. We are fighting for respect and solution.'Solution to Kashmir problem is more important - MuftiShe further said that alliance and seat sharing are far-fetched. Mufti indicated that if the National Conference and Congress are ready to adopt her agenda, she will support them, because the solution to the Kashmir problem is more important than anything else.Promise to restore Article 370 and 35ALet us tell you that in its election manifesto, the PDP has promised to restore Article 370 and 35A. Along with this, efforts have also been promised to start diplomatic talks between India and Pakistan and ensure the respectful return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley.PDP got 28 seatsIt is known that in the 2014 assembly elections, PDP won 28 seats in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bharatiya Janata Party had won 25 seats. In Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference (NC) won 15 and the Congress won 12 seats. The PDP and BJP formed a coalition government under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. However, after the death of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in 2018, the BJP withdrew its support from the coalition after Mehbooba Mufti came to power.Elections are in three phasesNow elections are to be held in Jammu and Kashmir in three phases on 18, 25 September and 1 October. Counting of votes will take place on October 4. These are the first assembly elections to be held in Kashmir after the removal of Article 370.