Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir residents feel “disappointed” as their hopes of empowerment and accountability after giving a massive mandate to the National Conference (NC) in the Assembly polls remain unfulfilled, party MP Ruhullah Mehdi said on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters in Anantnag, the Srinagar Lok Sabha member stressed that elected representatives must fight for the issues on which they sought votes.
“The empowerment and accountability people voted for are missing. The situation today shows there is no empowerment,” Mehdi said during an interaction with civil society members at the Town Hall.
He warned that settling for anything less than the promises made to voters would amount to a “betrayal.” Known for his outspoken stance, Mehdi has often clashed with NC leadership over issues such as the restoration of Article 370 and the Union Territory’s reservation policy.
Clarifying that his Anantnag visit was not party-related, the Shia leader said, “I am here at the invitation of civil society, not in favour of or against any party. Anyone could attend, whether from the NC, PDP, or Congress.”
Rejecting rumours that he was detained en route to the programme, Mehdi alleged the administration had attempted to foil the event by spreading misinformation.
On the Public Safety Act (PSA), he noted that though the NC had introduced it to curb timber smuggling, it has been “misused” over the years. He added that while the party had promised to revoke the law once statehood was restored, this could not be done as law and order powers remain with the Union government.
Reiterating his call for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, Mehdi said, “We have forgotten that fight. Without it, we cannot make necessary changes in laws. People gave us votes for that.”
The Centre had abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019, ending Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcating the state into two Union territories.
