People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti recently highlighted the contrast between a “shortsighted politician and a true statesman” by reflecting on the visits of two Prime Ministers to Jammu and Kashmir: Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s trip in 2003 and Narendra Modi’s recent visit. This comparison stems from the PDP’s dissatisfaction with the Modi government’s decision to unilaterally revoke Article 370, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and downgraded it to a Union Territory.
In her remarks, Mufti emphasized the differences in leadership styles, stating, “Back in 2003, then BJP Prime Minister Vajpayee visited Srinagar and demonstrated great belief in Mufti Sahab’s vision of peace through dignity, even when the PDP held merely 16 MLAs. In contrast, today our Chief Minister, despite having 50 MLAs, has resorted to appeasing and normalizing Delhi’s unilateral actions from August 2019, which effectively cleaved Jammu and Kashmir of its unique status.”
She accompanied her statement with a video of Vajpayee’s visit, which featured interactions between then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Vajpayee discussing the weather, showcasing a lighter moment during the discussions.
During Vajpayee’s visit, Abdullah welcomed him warmly, stating, “Today, you have come here, and the weather has also favored you. There are no clouds in the sky, though it is cold outside; the warmth in our hearts remains unchanged.” Vajpayee, in response, humorously suggested that if “Mufti Sahab’s command can stop the rain, imagine how quickly he can improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Abdullah later expressed gratitude to PM Modi for following through on his commitment to conduct timely elections in the region while also advocating for the restoration of statehood. He acknowledged Modi’s presence during the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel, a significant development that promises year-round access to the popular tourist destination of Sonamarg.
Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, also criticized Abdullah’s shift in tone towards the central government by sharing a previous social media post where Abdullah had criticized PM Modi’s administration. The evolving political dynamics and their implications for Jammu and Kashmir continue to spark discussion in the region.
