NC accuses PDP of 'sabotaging' Land Transfer Bill

National Conference (NC) today accused the ruling PDP of "sabotaging" the Land Transfer Bill, which aims at preventing transfer of land to non-state subjects, in the Assembly by supporting the move of its ally BJP to transfer the bill to a select committee.
"This is a brazen murder of democracy, ironically and tragically on the same day when (chief minister) Mehbooba Mufti took oath as a member of the Assembly.
"The bill was sent to the select committee despite the fact that BJP members were part of the cabinet decision on June 23 to introduce the bill in the House. This defies sanity and precedent and questions the very existence and writ of the chief minister," NC spokesperson Junaid Mattu said here.

Mattu said PDP's "sellout was exposed" in the Assembly today when some PDP members rose in open revolt against the party.
"Even some members of the ruling party were shocked at how a bill passed through the Cabinet to be tabled in the Assembly could be sabotaged in this manner. NC had announced that it would support the Bill and all such measures that are aimed at safeguarding J-K's special status.
"Unfortunately, it is now pretty evident that for Mehbooba, J-K's special status is negotiable and she can quite easily barter in lieu of BJP's continued patronage and benevolence," the NC spokesperson said.

He said the transfer of the bill to the select committee was a matter of "shame" for the chief minister.

"...PDP has obliged BJP in sabotaging the bill without any consideration for the absolutely damaging message this would send out. This emboldens those voices that have sought erosion of the State Subject Laws and abrogation of Article 370 and this could very well be the first covert step by the PDP-BJP alliance to erode J&K's special status," he said.
He alleged that the entire "covert plan" is being enacted under the direct supervision of the chief minister. "Nothing could be more tragic," he said.

"Those members of PDP who rose in revolt against their own party at this shocking sellout should realise that their party is now at open loggerheads against the people of this state and their legal and political interests.
"PDP's continued investment in the politics of betrayal and U-turns is a matter of grave concern and the chief minister should know that her deeds will have proportionate and serious consequences," the NC spokesperson said.