"We never sat with BJP in same cabinet": NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq hits back at PDP's Iltija Mufti

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 15 (ANI): National Conference spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq on Tuesday hit back at PDP leader Iltija Mufti as the latter accused the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir of having a "tacit understanding" with the BJP.
Speaking to ANI, Sadiq reminded Mufti of the PDP's alliance with the BJP when the two parties united to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014.
"The fact that we were not the people who sat with the BJP in the same cabinet, we were not the ones who would cancel martyrs' day holidays; these are the same people whose cabinet colleagues did not put J&K flags on their cars; they never went to martyrs' day function. These are the same people who actually did 2019. So, please don't tell us what we have to do. We were against the agenda and policies of the BJP; we will continue staying against the policies of BJP-PDP," Tanvir Sadiq said.
Countering allegations made by the Mufti on the AUQAF properties, the National Conference leader alleged that it was former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who brought AUQAF under government control, weakening its original structure.
"It was Auqaf, it means it was run by people without any political interference. Muslims would contribute and ensure that this Auqaf would handle all the religious sites. It was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who amended that, got the Government control on this, Naeem Akhtar was the VC then and all that the Auqaf was proud of was diluted and made a Muslim Auqaf Trust. That was actually the beginning of the end of Auqaf and then the Waqf Bill started. If it was not for Mufti Mohammad Sayeed or the PDP, today the Bill that was passed by the Parliament would not have an impact of our Auqaf," Tanvir Sadiq said.
"The fact that these are the same people and I can have 10 reasons for what they have done to J&K, had they not done 2014, 2019 would not have happened. If 2019 would not have happened, Statehood and Article 370 would not have gone. Had they not interfered with Auqaf, the Waqf Bill would not have had an impact on us. So, PDP is to blame for what all is happening in J&K, They have no moral right to blame or point fingers at us because four fingers are pointing towards them," he added.
Iltija Mufti on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the National Conference (NC) leadership, accusing the ruling party of failing to stand up for Muslim interests in Jammu and Kashmir.
The PDP leader alleged widespread corruption in AUQAF properties during the National Conference's rule and accused the party of having a "tacit understanding" with the BJP.
"This National Conference government has let down the Muslims. Everyone knows how much corruption was there in AUQAF during his tenure. Saying the matter is sub-judice is a very convenient excuse not to talk about this issue. The people of J-K are feeling let down. You are normalising Article 370 and abrogation. You (Omar Abdullah) are a CM of a Muslim-majority state, but you are not saying anything (on Waqf Act). BJP and NC have a tacit understanding," she further said.
Iltija criticized NC Chief Farooq Abdullah and his son who is the J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, for not bringing a resolution against the Act in the Assembly. (ANI)