Iltija Mufti Speaks Out After Electoral Defeat: It's Not the BJP Alliance

PDP leader Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, reflects on her recent electoral loss in Bijbehara, attributing it not to the BJP alliance but to an assault on her party. Despite the defeat to NC leader Bashir Ahmad Veeri, she remains resilient and urges smooth governance in Jammu and Kashmir.

Iltija Mufti, a prominent leader of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), has refuted claims that her electoral defeat in Bijbehara was due to the party's former alliance with the BJP. In a statement, Mufti, daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, highlighted multiple factors leading to the loss, primarily an assault on the party's structure.

Mufti described the defeat as a consequence of internal disruptions which saw PDP's ranks significantly diminished, with twenty-five MLAs, two Rajya Sabha members, and several ministers departing. She acknowledged that the people of South Kashmir chose to give the National Conference (NC) an opportunity, leading to her loss by 9,770 votes to NC's Bashir Ahmad Veeri.

Despite the setback, Mufti remains undeterred, emphasizing her intent to persevere in the political arena. She called on central authorities to ensure fair governance in Jammu and Kashmir, warning against any political manipulation that could hinder democratic processes.