I’m not just Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, have my own identity: Iltija Mufti
Iltija Mufti, who is contesting the upcoming Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir as a People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate from Bijbehara, said.
That she wants the people of the union territory to see her as an individual and not just the daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Speaking exclusively on Aaj Tak ‘Panchayat’, the 37-year-old said, “I did not only inherit my mother’s looks but her stubbornness as well. I am strategic, she is emotional. This is my personality and I hope people discover this as time passes.”
” I want people to know me for who I am, for my own identity, my personality. I just don’t want to be known as Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter or Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s grandfather. (We should) Listen to everyone, but do what you want. At the end of the day, one should do what one believes in,” she added.
Iltija Mufti said her political strategies were a blend of her mother’s and her grandfather’s. “What works for me is a blend of both their strategies. I am a mix of both.”
When asked about the political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, she said, “It is very easy to gain votes via vote bank politics. But Kashmir is the graveyard of all reputations. When a politician is buried here, the person’s reputation is also buried. For me, politics in Kashmir is literally like walking on burning embers.”
She also said that not a single election has resolved the issues in Jammu and Kashmir. “My only request from the people is that they should understand me, my policies and respect me. No disrespect.”
On her election agenda, Iltija Mufti said her main focus was employment for young people and skill development.
“In the last five years, we have witnessed the BJP-led Central government is trying to remove us from our land, our jobs. So many people have lost their jobs due to various measures of the Centre, including some for what they posted on social media 10 years ago,” she claimed.
“The young people here feel disempowered, hopeless. Kashmir also has a drug crisis, it’s a pandemic. The youth are taking drugs, getting addicted to alcohol. So many women are also taking prescription drugs for anxiety. My message to the youth is that we will secure your future. We intend to provide employment and skill development.”
On a possible poll alliance between the National Conference and Congress, Iltija Mufti said campaigning is still going, voting is yet to happen. “We will have to wait and see what happens.”
While stressing that there was no “wave” for a particular political party in the union territory, she also highlighted that the PDP is in a good position and the BJP is not in a position to come to power”.
“They (BJP) have been wiped out. They are not going to get any seats in Jammu either. Only a coalition government will be formed here. The BJP will not form a government.”
She also claimed that the National Conference always differs in what they say theoretically and does practically. “The PDP does what it says, there’s no gap.”