No secular govt can be formed without PDP: Mehbooba Mufti

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said no secular government would be formed in J&K without the support of her party.

Addressing an election rally in support of party candidates in Rajouri town ahead of second phase of polling on September 25, she accused BJP of exploiting Pahari and Gujjar communities on the name of reservation and scheduled tribe status.

“PDP is going to emerge as the largest party in its bastion of south Kashmir. I want to tell you that no secular government can be formed without the support of our party,” the former chief minister said.

She said BJP is trying to exploit the Gujjars and Paharis in the name of reservation and schedule tribe status. “They have not done a favour to the Pahari community by providing ST status. All the chief ministers of J&K raised the issue of reservations with the Centre from time to time.” “They are exploiting the grant of status and reservation to divide the communities and garner their votes,” she said, cautioning the communities not to get swayed by BJP’s propaganda.