Srinagar, May 05: Senior National Conference leader and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, on Tuesday challenged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti and her party legislators to publicly swear that they did not vote in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the recent Rajya Sabha elections.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Sadiq said that if the PDP leadership is true to the people of J&K, it must remove doubts over its role in the polls.
Defending his party’s conduct, he stated that the National Conference followed all laid-down procedures during voting. “Our polling agents ensured that ballots were shown as required. There was complete transparency. Had we not shown the ballot, our vote would have been declared invalid,” he explained.
He added that attempts to mislead people would not succeed in a democratic system. “People are the ultimate decision-makers. Whoever thinks they can take people for granted or hoodwink them will get a response through the ballot box,” he remarked.
Sadiq also drew parallels with electoral outcomes across the country, noting that recent elections have shown how unpredictable voter behaviour can be. “From West Bengal and Assam to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, results have surprised many. In Tamil Nadu, someone who until recently was only seen as a celebrity is now in a position to become Chief Minister, reflecting how people decide outcomes,” he said, adding that such shifts underline the power of voters.
He further referred to political changes in Kerala, observing how power dynamics between alliances continue to evolve, reinforcing that no party should take voters lightly.
Without naming it directly at first, Sadiq alluded to the 2014 political developments in Jammu and Kashmir, saying, “If that alliance had not happened, perhaps many things that followed would not have occurred.”
Later, in a direct attack, he questioned the credibility of the PDP, stating that the party must clarify its present stance in light of its past association with the BJP.
Responding to concerns within the Indian National Congress regarding coordination with NC, Sadiq said his party had already acted on the issue. “You will recall that during a meeting in Jammu, there was a suggestion for better coordination. Within minutes, our leadership agreed to form a coordination committee. We have finalised four senior members from our side,” he said.
He added that the National Conference is now awaiting Congress to finalise its representatives. “Once that is done, discussions will take place and issues will be resolved,” he noted, downplaying remarks made by some district-level Congress leaders.
“It is better not to go by statements of individuals without organisational backing. Structured dialogue between leadership is the way forward,” he added.
Addressing reports of disparity in fund allocation under PMGSY, Sadiq said figures should be seen in proper context.
“The latest figures suggest Jammu received around 86 percent allocation in a particular phase, while Kashmir got around 14–15 percent. But one must understand that recent cloudbursts and damage to infrastructure, including bridges, in Jammu may have necessitated higher funding,” he explained.
He reiterated that his party supports equitable distribution of resources. “Whether it is Chenab, Pir Panjal, Jammu or Kashmir, there must be fairness. Mountainous regions often require more funds under PMGSY due to terrain challenges,” he added.
Sadiq stressed that political differences should be addressed through institutional mechanisms rather than public confrontation. “At the end of the day, elections and governance are decided by the people. The ballot box determines everything—when, how, and in whose favour,” he concluded—(KNO)
