Srinagar, Oct 16: Ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has conveyed to National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah that her party will support NC candidates in the Upper House polls provided the ruling party agrees to back two key legislations in the Assembly.
Mehbooba Mufti linked PDP’s support to NC’s endorsement of the Land Protection Bill and the Regularisation of Daily Wagers Bill, both of which hold major socio-economic implications in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Land Bill, proposed by the PDP, seeks to prevent the sale of agricultural and local land to non-residents, reinforcing the party’s long-standing demand to safeguard land rights for locals. The Regularisation Bill, on the other hand, aims to provide job security and formal employment status to thousands of daily wagers and contractual workers who have served for years without benefits or assurance of continuity.
“The PDP is willing to extend full support to the NC in the Rajya Sabha elections, but this time our support will come with a condition that serves the interests of the people.”
Mehbooba Mufti confirmed that Farooq Abdullah phoned her and she told him to back the key bills.
Farooq Abdullah is expected to discuss the proposal with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the NC’s political affairs committee before taking a final decision.
If accepted, the understanding could strengthen the NC’s numbers in the Rajya Sabha election, where every vote counts. [KNT]
