Mehbooba Mufti Slams BJP and NC for Failing Jammu & Kashmir | PDP Foundation Day 2025
By: Javid Amin | 01 Aug 2025
A Moment of Reckoning in Kashmir’s Political Discourse
On the occasion of the 26th Foundation Day of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti delivered a sharply worded speech that may prove pivotal in Jammu & Kashmir’s evolving political discourse. Unlike routine political statements, her address targeted the governing BJP and the opposition NC alike, accusing both of failing the people of Jammu & Kashmir, especially in the post-Article 370 era.
The speech, delivered to a packed audience, wasn’t merely political theater—it was a call for internal reflection, policy reorientation, and regional reconciliation. More importantly, Mehbooba Mufti challenged the narrative that development can be imposed through Delhi’s diktats, invoking her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s philosophy of resolving issues “from within.”
Blistering Critique of the BJP—“They Abandoned Jammu”
BJP’s 30 Seats Mean Little on the Ground
Mehbooba launched a direct offensive against the BJP, arguing that despite commanding power at both the Centre and the UT since 2018 and winning 30 seats, the party had “abandoned Jammu.” She asserted that the people of Jammu, who were once seen as BJP’s strongest base, now feel more betrayed than ever.
Key Allegations:
-
Unemployment: Mehbooba cited alarming unemployment rates, particularly among youth with higher education.
-
Privatization & Outsider Influx: She condemned the increasing presence of “outsiders” in critical economic sectors—transport, contracts, and trade—robbing locals of traditional livelihoods.
-
Inflation: She highlighted rising fuel, food, and utility prices, alleging Delhi-centric economic policies have hurt ordinary families.
Political Framing:
“The BJP used Jammu for votes, but when it came to real development or empowerment, they turned their back,” Mehbooba thundered.
The National Conference Under Fire—“Where Are the Promises?”
While the BJP faced her main wrath, Mehbooba didn’t spare the National Conference (NC) either. She accused the oldest regional party of recycling hollow slogans and offering empty guarantees during the last elections.
Specific Grievances Against NC:
-
Promises of free electricity were never fulfilled.
-
Jobs for the youth remained a campaign soundbite.
-
Crackdown on mining mafia was promised, yet illegal extractions reportedly continue.
Public Trust Deficit
According to Mehbooba, the NC’s failure to deliver tangible results has created a deep trust deficit in the electorate.
“You had 50 seats, but people still don’t see change. Isn’t that the biggest indictment?”
She went on to allege that both BJP and NC play emotional politics, without offering real solutions or structural reforms.
Reviving the Legacy of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
Amid the political crossfire, Mehbooba repositioned PDP’s vision as a continuation of her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s philosophy—“healing through dignity, not domination.”
Key Tenets of the Legacy:
-
Peace is the only pathway to development.
-
Solutions for J&K must emerge from within—not be dictated by Delhi.
-
Engagement, not exclusion, must define the region’s political future.
Invoking Vajpayee’s Lineage
Interestingly, she tied her father’s ideals with Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s “Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat, and Kashmiriyat” doctrine. This served as a subtle dig at the current BJP regime, which she argued had abandoned Vajpayee’s inclusive model.
“Post-Article 370, Jammu Has Suffered the Most”
Perhaps the most surprising admission in her speech was that Jammu—not Kashmir—has borne the heaviest brunt of Article 370’s revocation.
🔎 Issues in Focus:
-
Shrinking local control over land and industry.
-
Drug addiction rising in youth.
-
Farmlands parched due to lack of irrigation and water.
-
Joblessness and business closures—particularly small and medium enterprises.
Mehbooba urged political observers to stop seeing Jammu as a political monolith backing the BJP.
“The same Article 370 whose abrogation they cheered—has now become their biggest punishment.”
A Vision for Reconciliation, Not Retaliation
In contrast to aggressive politics dominating J&K post-2019, Mehbooba offered a conciliatory and inclusive roadmap:
-
Build bridges between Jammu and Kashmir, not walls.
-
Reject militarism and policies driven by force.
-
Return to “peace with dignity”—a phrase she repeated multiple times during the speech.
“Conflict breeds poverty. We must stop thinking war will solve anything.”
She highlighted the global context—where militarism and arms sales are on the rise—and warned that South Asia cannot afford another confrontation.
Reframing the Post-370 Narrative
Rather than demanding Article 370’s immediate reinstatement, Mehbooba smartly shifted the focus toward:
-
Restoring civil liberties and regional autonomy within the constitutional framework.
-
Reclaiming the narrative from one of conflict and fear to dialogue and dignity.
-
Empowering locals in governance, business, and cultural preservation.
This softened tone, especially when compared to earlier hardline PDP positions, suggests a tactical recalibration—possibly in preparation for future elections.
What This Means Politically
Mehbooba’s speech is not just rhetoric—it’s a carefully calibrated political statement aimed at:
-
Repositioning PDP as the true voice of the people post-Article 370.
-
Framing both BJP and NC as exploitative, despite their electoral successes.
-
Drawing disillusioned voters, especially in Jammu, into the PDP’s camp.
-
Appealing to the intellectual class, youth, and civil society tired of old binaries.
The focus on internal unity, healing from within, and grassroots reconciliation may resonate in a region where many feel politically alienated.
Analysis—Why This Speech Matters Now
This Foundation Day address comes at a critical political juncture:
-
Jammu is increasingly vocal about economic neglect.
-
Kashmiris are grappling with identity, autonomy, and representation.
-
The BJP is facing criticism for centralized governance and bureaucratic inertia.
-
NC is seen as ineffective despite electoral wins.
Mehbooba Mufti is clearly testing the waters—gauging whether a politics of dignity, localism, and reconciliation can rise again in a fragmented, surveillance-heavy political climate.
Bottom-Line: Reimagining the Politics of Dignity in Jammu & Kashmir
Mehbooba Mufti’s 26th Foundation Day address wasn’t just a critique of BJP and NC—it was a manifesto for an alternative vision of Jammu & Kashmir. One where development is people-driven, where dignity supersedes domination, and where reconciliation replaces revenge.
In invoking both Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, she framed PDP not as a separatist voice—but as the last bridge between alienated youth, disenchanted Jammu, and a power-hungry Delhi.
Whether this message resonates widely remains to be seen—but it has undoubtedly reopened the political conversation in a region long reduced to silence.
