National Conference on Thursday expressed dismay and disappointment at Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s misplaced priorities and her by-passing by New Delhi in dealing with the NIT issue. Addressing public and party workers at Nussu, Budgam, National Conference Chief Spokesperson Aga Syed Ruhullah said it was evident that the institution of the Chief Minister had been relegated to the sidelines as New Delhi was now directly handling the law and order affairs of the State. Aga Ruhullah Mehdi was accompanied by NC Leader and Political Secretary to Working President, Tanvir Sadiq.“Rather than focussing on this serious issue and being at the forefront of resolving it, Mehbooba Mufti is apparently more occupied with holding customary meetings at the Civil Secretariat.
At a time when the NIT issue has become a flashpoint, Mehbooba Mufti continues to be far removed from the ground reality and has been disempowered by New Delhi”, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi.The NC Chief Spokesperson lashed out at the State Government for replacing J&K Police with CRPF and said this indicated not only New Delhi’s complete lack of confidence in Mehbooba Mufti’s ability as the Chief Minister but also highlighted the fact that Mehbooba Mufti had failed to stand up for the J&K Police.“We haven’t heard a single word from Mehbooba Mufti till now and she as the Home Minister of the State is duty-bound to lead the resolution of all law and order related issues. On the contrary, the Deputy Chief Minister seems to be acting as the de-facto Home Minister of the State and is directly coordinating with New Delhi’s HRD Ministry and Home Ministry keeping the Chief Minister far removed from the issue”, the NC Chief Spokesperson added.
“As the Chief Minister of the State you have to defend your Police and ensure you don’t allow anyone to question their integrity or objectivity. Rather than doing this, Mehbooba Mufti has watched as a mute spectator as law and order – which is a State Subject – is being now handled directly by New Delhi”, Aga Syed Ruhullah said.Political Secretary to Working President, Tanvir Sadiq also lashed out at the State Government and the Chief Minister for belittling the institution of the Chief Minster’s office and taking remote-controlled directives from New Delhi in handling law and order situations. “This is demoralizing for the State, its people and aims at discrediting our institutions. Till today the Chief Minister is missing and hasn’t managed to utter a single word of reassurance”, Tanvir Sadiq said.Scores of political workers and activists from Nusu, Budgam joined National Conference en-masse on this occasion and pledged to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. (KNS)