In an exclusive interview with India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai, People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said she will not participate in ‘power politics’ or take part in elections until Article 370 and 35A are restored in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I know restoration of Article 370 and 35A is not something the Centre will give on a platter but you have to begin somewhere. We will struggle for it. The Gupkar alliance will stay together till we achieve this,” she said.
The former J&K chief minister continued, “We want what was given to us by the Indian Constitution back. They have belittled the Indian Constitution by abrogating Article 370 for their own electoral benefits.
Mehbooba Mufti said that Article 370 and 35A, which granted the state of Jammu and Kashmir special status and were abrogated in 2019, are issues that matter to those who believe in the Indian Constitution. Hence, it is not a ‘separatist’ demand, she said.
She also emphasised that restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and holding of elections were not her priorities in attending Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting in New Delhi. Her main goal is for the Centre to initiate confidence-building measures in Kashmir so that living conditions improve for the people of Kashmir who are suffering.
