Post Anantnag win, Mehbooba Mufti takes oath as MLA

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti took oath as an MLA here today, almost a week after winning the Anantnag by-poll.

Mehbooba defeated her nearest Congress rival Hilal Shah by over 12,000 votes. The by-election in Anantnag took place following the death of the then chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who represented the constituency in the 87-member legislative house.

Recalling the values and vision of her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for the state, Mehbooba said the former had set an agenda aimed at fostering peace and development in the state.

"There is an agenda, an agenda of an alliance agreed upon by the PDP and its ally. We should stick to that and follow it diligently," she said in her address to the J-K Assembly after taking oath.

She also said that animosity and spending on defence has hampered the growth and development of both India and Pakistan.

She also criticised those spreading violence in the name of Islam and said, "Jo log chaaku utha kar allah o akbar kehte hain unko main Islam se nahi jodungi (Those who shout allah o akbar with swords in their hands should not be linked to Islam)."

Eight candidates, including Mehbooba Mufti, Hilal Ahmad Shah of the Congress and Iftikhar Hussain Misgar of the National Conference were in the fray for Anantnag seat.