Joining the chorus with the National Conference over the resolution of the Kashmir issue, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti Saturday observed that the unconstitutional and illegal revocation of Articles 370 and 35A in 2019 has further complicated the Kashmir issue, deepening the sense of alienation among the people of the region.

Releasing her party’s election manifesto ahead of the Assembly polls in Srinagar, the former Chief Minister declared that if the National Conference (NC) and Congress were willing to accept the PDP’s manifesto and align with its stand on resolving the problems of Kashmir, she would support their alliance without contesting any seats.

She said, “Alliance and seat sharing are faraway things. If the National Conference and Congress are ready to adopt our agenda, we will say they should contest on all seats, we will follow them because, for me, solving the problem of Kashmir is more important than anything else...” she said.

Mehbooba Mufti clarified that the upcoming elections are not just about Statehood or seat sharing, but about larger goals. “For me, this election is not about Statehood or seat sharing... We have a bigger goal... We are fighting for dignity, for the resolution of the Kashmir issue”.

“When we allied earlier, we had an agenda, when we allied with the BJP, we had an agenda which they agreed to but the alliance between the National Conference and Congress is not happening on the agenda, it is happening on seat sharing,” she added.

“The PDP is resolute in its pursuit of restoration of the constitutional guarantees that were unjustly scrapped and is committed to restoring Jammu & Kashmir to its original status, ensuring that the voices of its people are heard and their rights are safeguarded”.

She also committed to facilitating the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, emphasizing that her party would take all necessary steps to ensure their safe return.

Mehbooba Mufti said her party is committed to the revocation of AFSPA. She also batted for the resumption of the cross-LoC trade between India and Pakistan and urged the Union Home Minister to relaunch the services soon by extending banking services to the traders on both sides of the LoC.

The manifesto titled ‘People’s Aspirations’ also talks about creation of a regional free-trade area and shared economic market, striving for revocation of the Public Safety Act (PSA), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Enemy Act, as well as its commitment to revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

It also promises to revisit and address the cases of “unjust” job terminations – referring to the sacking of J-K Government employees over terror abetment charges

Mehbooba also maintained her party, if voted to power We will also protect the land and employment rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and promised the Re-establishment of the J&K Human Rights Commission.

Announcing some sops for the common people Mufti promised, “We will provide free electricity up to 200 units, abolish water taxes, and there should be no water meters. We will also offer a one-time settlement for old electricity bills. For the poor, we will implement the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed scheme again, providing 12 cylinders a year.”

“We will double social security benefits like old age pensions and widow pensions. We will ensure that all government jobs are filled, and temples and gurudwaras will receive free electricity,” she said.