Balakot airstrikes are an ‘election stunt’: Mehbooba Mufti

“Things are happening as per script and there will be a change only after election,” said Mufti while speaking to the media here this evening.

She said genuine issues had been taken over by the Balakot airstrike and added: “Till the 2019 elections, encounters, strikes and cross border firing will remain hot topics because unfortunately an atmosphere has been created in the country, where tough posture in Jammu and Kashmir, confrontation with Pakistan is earning votes.”

On pre-poll alliance with Congress, she said: “So far no talks were held for alliance with any party.”

“The PDP will contest on all six parliamentary seats and list of candidates is almost final,” added Mufti and said that if all political parties are in the race, then it would be unfair on the PDP not to field candidates.

On reports of NC-Congress ‘closed door alliance’, she said “it is a matter between them”.

However, on launch of a political party by the former civil servant Shah Faesal named J&K People’s Movement, Mufti said everybody in the country had the right to contest election.

Speaking on NC vice-president Omar Abdullah, she said: “He (Mr Omar Abdullah) thinks that if any new party is floated, it might take NC’s share.”

Meanwhile, she also said the late chief minister and her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed gave opportunity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by shaking hands with the BJP to make him a global leader by solving Jammu and Kashmir crisis but he (Modi) unfortunately failed to deliver and address the concerning issue.

Mufti also welcomed opening of Kartapur corridor between Indian and Pakistan, saying that it would help in strengthening people to people contact to diffuse tension along borders.

“Similarly such routes should be opened in Jammu and Kashmir so that people visit each other and a cordial atmosphere prevails,” she said.