Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday expressed concern over the rising crises among the younger generation in the Union Territory, alleging that the youth were “sliding towards drugs, alcohol and suicide”.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a visit to Kupwara, Mehbooba Mufti said her party intended to engage with young people across all districts to understand their problems and take them up with the government.
“We want to talk to the youth at every district level. We want to listen to their problems and reach out to them,” she said.
On the proposed delimitation exercise, the former chief minister termed the process “inevitable”, saying it would take place in 2026-27. “The BJP has a majority. They will do what they have to do,” she said.
However, she expressed apprehension that the exercise could mirror the previous delimitation, which she claimed had favoured Hindu-majority areas in the Jammu region.
“We hope that such a delimitation will not be done,” she added.
When asked about her party’s stance on joining the opposition ‘INDIA’ bloc, Mufti evaded a direct reply, stating she was not aware of the details of a meeting called by National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah.
On women’s reservation, the PDP chief said her party sought empowerment and adequate representation for women in Parliament and legislative assemblies. She also stressed the need to bring forward youth in panchayat and local body elections, irrespective of their political affiliation.
Taking a swipe at the National Conference-led government, Mehbooba Mufti said, “We are four people, they are 50 people. If CM Omar cannot run the government with 50 people, then you can imagine how weak they are.” She accused the NC of failing to deliver on basic issues like electricity and LPG cylinders while blaming the PDP for creating noise in the Assembly.
