Accusing the ruling National Conference (NC) of betraying the electorate of the Budgam assembly constituency in Kashmir, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had “deceived” the people by winning the Budgam seat in the last elections and later resigning from it and retaining the Ganderbal seat.
Mehbooba was campaigning for PDP candidate Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi in Budgam, which will go to by-polls on 11 November.
Addressing a rally, Mehbooba accused the NC leadership of neglecting the common people of Kashmir and “betraying” the trust of voters in Budgam. “They used the constituency merely as a political ladder.” She said the PDP stood for “responsible and people-centric leadership” and promised that her party would bring accountability and genuine public service to the region.
“Voting for NC again would be tantamount to endorsing the mistakes they’ve made in the last one year. The way they have neglected the people of Budgam, abandoning their own promises, speaks volumes. By disregarding Budgam despite being elected with the highest number of votes, Omar Abdullah and NC have shown that they don’t treat the constituency as a responsibility, but a personal privilege.”
“He won with a massive margin, assuring people that Budgam would be his political home. But today, he has turned his back on the very people who trusted him. This is nothing less than betrayal,” Mehbooba said.
“For the past 50 years, people of Budgam have elected NC leaders, made ministers, and this time Chief Minister. Yet, the way CM turned away from Budgam immediately after winning is disappointing. Now, the people of Budgam have a chance to take charge and change the course of their lives towards a bright future.”
Highlighting Budgam’s historical and political importance, she lamented that the district had long been ignored and deprived of real development. She asserted that Budgam deserved “a leader who belongs to the soil and stands by the people in their difficult times”.
During Omar Abdullah’s tenure, thousands of our youth were imprisoned, and families were pushed into despair. The NC government not only failed to protect the common man but also alienated an entire generation,” she alleged.
“People of Budgam know the truth of the past one year, not even a single promise was fulfilled. Today, there is a young, educated leader in Aga Muntazir Mehdi; you have the power to elect him,” she said.