National Conference trying to sell stars in last bid to retrieve ground: PDP

SRINAGAR: In the wake of populist measures taken by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, opposition PDP today said the ruling NC had "wasted" six years in power and was now trying to "sell moon and stars" to the people in its last bid to retrieve some ground.

"Governments are elected by the people for giving good governance and not wasting the full tenure by pursuing anti-people policies and then in the last moment trying to sell moon and stars.

"The rout in Lok Sabha elections has served National Conference (NC) a big blow and they have now suddenly realized that people who had reposed faith in them for many decades have become fully aware of its dirty tricks and deceitful politics," PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said here.

She said NC has taken the people "for granted" over the decades because they had in the past been able to "exploit" their emotions through "hollow slogans" and also "subverted" the electoral system to enjoy power in spite of their "misdeeds, corruption and nepotism".

Citing the "clear lead to PDP" in Lok Sabha polls, she said "Omar has displayed a total desperation" ever since, as he had demonstrated that good governance was neither his priority nor ability in the last six years.

Mehbooba, the Member of Parliament from south Kashmir's Anantnag constituency, said after having been "rejected" by the people in Lok Sabha polls, it has suddenly dawned on the NC that they could even lose power in the state later this year.