Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti on Tuesday accused the National Conference of aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party in a manner that undermines the interests of the people in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the media in Srinagar, Iltija asserted that the National Conference has consistently sacrificed the interests of Kashmiris for political gain and power, according to Kashmir Media Service.

Iltija, daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, criticized the National Conference for lacking the moral authority to advocate for public rights or special status. She described the party as power-driven and neglectful of the Kashmiri people’s needs.

In response to recent comments by National Conference leaders regarding the restoration of statehood, Iltija emphasized that the PDP’s fight transcends the demand for statehood. “We don’t belong to a mere Union Territory asking for statehood. We are a people who had our own constitution and flag,” she stated. “Reducing our aspirations to statehood alone is an insult to our history.”

Iltija also expressed strong disapproval of National Conference patron Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s support for a decision that prevented discussion on the Waqf law, suggesting that the NC’s selective stance on critical matters reflects a deeper political alignment with the BJP.