National Conference (NC) spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq on Tuesday strongly rebutted allegations made by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti, who had accused the NC of having a "tacit understanding" with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to mediapersons, Sadiq reminded Mufti that it was her own party—the PDP—that had allied with the BJP in 2014 to form a government in the region.
He stated that unlike the PDP, the NC had never shared a cabinet with the BJP, nor participated in actions that disrespected Jammu and Kashmir’s identity, such as cancelling Martyrs’ Day holidays or not displaying the state flag on official vehicles. He stressed that the NC has always opposed the BJP’s ideology and policies, and would continue to do so.
Responding to Iltija Mufti’s accusations regarding AUQAF properties and alleged corruption, Sadiq pointed out that it was former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed—her father—who had diluted the original structure of AUQAF by bringing it under government control.
He recalled how the AUQAF, once a religious and community-managed trust, was transformed into a government-controlled entity under Sayeed’s leadership. According to Sadiq, this shift, with Naeem Akhtar as Vice Chairman, weakened the institution and paved the way for subsequent legislation, including the controversial Waqf Bill passed by Parliament.
Sadiq argued that if Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had not interfered with AUQAF’s independence, the Waqf Bill would not have had the impact it has today on religious institutions in the region.
He further held the PDP responsible for the political trajectory that led to the abrogation of Article 370 and the loss of statehood. “Had they not done 2014, 2019 would not have happened,” Sadiq said, referring to the PDP’s alliance with the BJP.
Also Read: Mehbooba urges non-BJP CMs to stand up for Constitution
He asserted that the PDP’s decisions enabled the circumstances that led to constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir, and thus, they had no moral ground to blame the NC or question its actions. He concluded by saying that every time the PDP points fingers at others, multiple fingers point back at them for their own political choices.
Meanwhile, Iltija Mufti had launched a scathing attack on the NC leadership earlier in the day, accusing the party of failing to protect the interests of the Muslim community in Jammu and Kashmir.
She alleged widespread corruption in the management of AUQAF properties during NC’s tenure and said that the party’s claim that the matter is sub judice was merely an excuse to avoid accountability. She also accused NC leaders of "normalising" the abrogation of Article 370 and not taking a strong enough stand against the Waqf Act.
Criticizing both NC patriarch Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah—who served as Chief Minister—Iltija condemned their failure to pass a resolution against the Waqf Act in the Assembly. She claimed this silence was evidence of an undeclared understanding between the BJP and NC, and that the people of Jammu and Kashmir felt betrayed by this inaction.
Also Read: NC cut ties with me over student protest: Ruhullah
Follow us
