'Never fighting assembly polls as long as…': Mehbooba Mufti on ‘emotional issue’

Earlier today, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the opening of the Sharda Devi Temple near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district and expressed hope of resumption of cross-border trade.

Published on: Mar 22, 2023, 16:25:44 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has said she will not fight an assembly election “as long as Article 370 is not restored.” Speaking to news agency PTI, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief said that Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that embodied special provisions for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir is “more of an emotional issue for me.”

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti. (ANI)

“I am never going to fight assembly elections as long as Article 370 is not restored. Whenever I took an oath as a member assembly it was under two constitutions, J&K Constitution and Constitution of India, with two flag at the same time,” Mufti told PTI.

“Maybe it's very foolish on my part but it's more of an emotional issue,” she said, without ruling out the prospect of contesting Lok Sabha elections.

“Parliament I don't know.”

(Also Read | EC assured us of early elections in Jammu and Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah)

The PDP chief recently said that assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held only when the situation was “conducive” for the BJP. Mufti was responding to media queries after addressing a public rally at Poonch. When asked about the Assembly polls, she said she can’t predict them.

“How can I say anything on the elections because it is the BJP, which has to take the call and not the Election Commission? The Election Commission had already said that they were ready for elections in J&K but they (elections) will be held when situation is conducive for the BJP,” she said.

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have been warming up for the assembly elections and been holding several public meetings. Former chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah last week said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar and another member have assured assembly elections in J&K ‘soon’.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.