Kathua/Jammu, March 29 PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said on Sunday that she is praying for Iran to emerge victorious in the West Asia conflict, and for the war to end quickly, arguing that this is essential to restore stability and curb "escalating" inflation.
She also accused the National Conference government in Jammu and Kashmir and the BJP-led Centre of "completely failing" to address people's problems.
"Iran has had very close relations with India. It was unfortunate that the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) visited Israel just before the war began, which did not send a positive message," Mufti told reporters on the sidelines of a PDP rally in Hiranagar, Kathua district.
"Jammu and Kashmir used to be called 'Iran-e-Sagheer' (Little Iran), which shows how close our ties have been. Islam came to us through Iran, and we share many similarities.
"The way the people of J-K have come out on the streets for Iran – collecting money, offering help, donating gold jewelry and household items – shows a great spirit," she said.
The former J-K chief minister said they are praying for Iran to emerge victorious, and for the war to end.
"The war is also having a very negative impact on India. The whole world is affected, and things are becoming more expensive," Mufti said.
Stating that a large number of people from India, including Jammu and Kashmir, work in the Gulf countries, the PDP chief said, "They will naturally return if conditions worsen, and unemployment will increase. Therefore, the war should stop as soon as possible, so that peace can be restored and inflation can also be brought under control."
The war in West Asia, which began after the US-Israel combine attacked Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory strikes by Tehran across the Gulf region, has now stretched into its fifth week, with no immediate end in sight.
It has impacted the global economy, including oil and gas prices, which have had repercussions on the lives of citizens across the region.
The PDP organised the rally to welcome former Congress district general secretary, Kavel Jarotia, into the party along with his supporters.
Mufti also said that after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the people of J-K have faced significant disenfranchisement.
"That is why they have advocated the passage of a Private Member's Bill moved by the PDP seeking a statutory framework for the reorganization of administrative divisions, districts, sub-divisions and tehsils in the Union territory," she said.
"People feel they have no authority left in their hands. The remote areas, be it the Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal or the Bani-Basohli region, are very remote and require proper administration.
"That is why new districts should be created, and new divisions should be formed to give relief to people. We have introduced a Bill. Let's see what the government does now," Mufti said.
On the performance of the National Conference government, she said people had a lot of expectations from it.
"The National Conference got 50 seats, and people felt that their problems would be resolved. People had similar expectations from the BJP, thinking that since it is in power in Delhi, it would help address the issues here. But it seems both parties have completely failed to resolve people's issues," Mufti said.