Prime Minister Narendra Modi's observation that the two ruling families (Sheikhs and Muftis) in Jammu & Kashmir swap positions to loot the State after every five years, has evoked sharp criticism from the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday asked the PM to correct his facts before commenting on other parties. "It seems the Prime Minister has serious gaps in his knowledge on Jammu & Kashmir," Mufti told public gatherings during her campaign in south Kashmir's Homeshalibugh area.
"Will only two families rule in J&K, can't other families produce leadersIJ You are repenting for the last 50 years.... If you don't punish the two families ruling here, they (the families) will come back with renewed resurgence," Modi said on Saturday in Kishtwar pointing towards Muftis and Abdhullahs.
"They have an understanding among themselves. One loots the State for five years and then is thrown out of power and then the other starts looting the State. They have a five-year contract to loot the State," Modi said asking the people to rid the State of corrupt regimes.
Mehbooba said even election time rhetoric should be restricted to decent levels and when the Prime Minister of the country speaks he should not allow it to look ridiculous as his comments about the PDP in Kishtwar address sounded.
She said everybody in Jammu & Kashmir and the rest of country is aware about the integrity and credentials of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and the fact that his party has introduced a much needed corrective into the democratic system of the State by offering a credible and serious regional alternative to the people.
"The three years that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led coalition served the State are still remembered as a reference point for good governance and political maturity which changed the scenario not just in Jammu & Kashmir but in the entire region," Mehbooba said.
She said, in fact former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee publically acknowledged the positive change that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had brought in the atmosphere and on the ground in Jammu & Kashmir and could take his historic initiative on the State and about Pakistan only after change of Government in the State.
Till then, even in spite of being in alliance with the NC which was having a brute majority in the State Assembly Vajpayee had not been able to break ice on any front relating to Jammu & Kashmir, Mehbooba said.
Mehbooba said the Prime Minister forgot that his party was in alliance with the National Conference both at the Centre and in the State and the BJP has continued its covert relationship with the party at all crucial points especially when its legislators voted for the victory of the NC candidates, reportedly against monetary considerations. She said that if the BJP legislators sold even their vote, its leaders were in no position to sermonise on morality.