Mehbooba Mufti Urges Non-Interference in J&K Government

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the successful conduct of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections as a victory for the Indian Constitution, claiming it has ended an era of curfews and separatism through the abrogation of Article 370. Modi noted that the elections marked a significant moment, being the first after the full implementation of the Constitution in the region, and praised the BJP's strong performance despite losing some seats to the National Conference. In response, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah expressed his willingness to form a government with the People's Democratic Party (PDP) but emphasized that the initiative should come from the PDP. Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti congratulated the National Conference for its victory and urged the Centre to respect the election mandate, warning against interference in the new government’s functioning, which could lead to disastrous consequences. She also highlighted the importance of a stable government to address ongoing challenges in Jammu and Kashmir following recent political changes. Mufti committed to playing a constructive opposition role, stating that the issues faced by the people would continue beyond the elections.