Srinagar, Sep 29 (KINS): : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday launched a fierce criticism of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti after she suspended her election campaign in response to the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The BJP labeled her decision as “votebank politics” and accused her of siding with militant groups.
BJP National Spokesperson R P Singh condemned Mufti’s decision, asserting, “By cancelling her campaign, she has shown where her sympathies lie—mourning terrorists instead of prioritizing national interests. It’s not the first time; she had also expressed grief for Burhan Wani. This is a clear pattern of glorifying militants.”
Singh added, “Sonia Gandhi too shed tears for the terrorists killed in Batla House. The INDIA alliance’s leaders routinely engage in such actions for votebank politics. For them, the country comes second.”
Mufti Expresses Solidarity With Palestine and Lebanon
The controversy arose after Mufti announced on X (formerly Twitter) that she was halting her campaign to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and Lebanon. She stated, “Cancelling my campaign tomorrow (Sunday) in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza, especially Hassan Nasrallah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and their fight for resistance.”
Kavinder Gupta Adds to the Criticism
Former Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta also weighed in, questioning Mufti’s support for Nasrallah. “What is Mehbooba Mufti’s concern with the death of a terrorist like Nasrallah? She remains silent when Hindus are killed in Bangladesh and Pakistan but cancels her campaign to mourn a militant.”
Gupta further accused Mufti of trying to garner sympathy through these actions, stating, “Her so-called solidarity with the terrorists is nothing more than a political stunt. The people see through this and won’t be swayed by her tactics.”
Nasrallah’s Death Confirmed by Hezbollah
Hezbollah confirmed that its chief, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in Israeli airstrikes on Beirut, marking a significant loss for the Lebanese militant group. The death has sparked varied reactions from political leaders around the world.
G. Kishan Reddy, BJP’s election in-charge for Jammu & Kashmir, on Sunday asserted that People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti’s decision to abstain from campaigning for the upcoming Assembly polls signals her acceptance of defeat. Reddy criticized Mufti’s reasoning, which she stated was out of “solidarity with Lebanese and Palestinian citizens,” implying that her party had already conceded.
“They never had any major campaign plans to begin with, and now they are using Hezbollah as an excuse to retreat,” Reddy stated. “Even before the election has started, they have surrendered.” Reddy, who is also a Union Minister, suggested that Mufti’s actions were a strategic move to avoid facing an inevitable electoral loss.
Calls for Focus on Local Peace, Not International Conflicts
Reddy also addressed the marches held in Jammu & Kashmir by groups showing solidarity with Hezbollah following the death of its leader. He emphasized that such demonstrations were misguided, stating, “These are international issues. We have no connection with Hezbollah or Israel. These are their own matters. Jammu & Kashmir is peaceful, and the focus should be on maintaining this calm.”
He further called on the people, especially the youth of Jammu & Kashmir, to prioritize peace and stability. “The new generation of Jammu & Kashmir should focus on living peacefully. My message is clear: the region is stable, and we should work to keep it that way.”
Reddy Praises 10 Years of PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’
In a separate statement, Reddy also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the completion of 10 years of his monthly radio program, Mann Ki Baat. He said, “There is no other Prime Minister in the world who has maintained such a consistent connection with his people for a decade, sharing messages of development, culture, and progress. My heartfelt congratulations to him for this achievement.” (KINS)
