After poll debacle, PDP reviews its performance

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday reviewed its dismal performance in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections in which it secured only three seats. The party had convened a meeting of senior leaders in Srinagar, which was chaired by its president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

The gathering focused on reviewing the party’s performance in the recently concluded Assembly elections and strategising future actions, a party spokesperson said.

He said the principles and ideas on which the PDP was founded “remain highly relevant.” “At the core of our mission is dialogue and the current pervasive situation demands addressing the root cause. Regardless of electoral outcomes, the PDP has an essential role to play,” the spokesperson said. “We will continue raising issues concerning the people and extend support to the government wherever our voice can contribute to securing the constitutional rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

According to the party, it will draft detailed proposals to strengthen “its grassroots presence and reconnect with the public.” “The party aims to highlight its achievements and reaffirm itself as a viable democratic alternative,” the spokesperson said.

According to the spokesperson, the PDP is willing to support any party that shares its mission of safeguarding public rights. “Despite sustained assaults on the PDP, including a mass exodus of leaders, MLAs and MLCs, this election has demonstrated that the PDP is here to stay,” he said. “We are committed to rebuilding, addressing our weaknesses from the recent polls, and expanding our worker base to ensure effective voter mobilisation in future elections,” he added.

The spokesperson said the party is preparing for the upcoming municipal, panchayat and District Development Council (DDC) elections with “renewed vigour.”

“Our well-structured grassroots network will be activated in line with the political vision of our founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed,” the spokesperson said. He said young talents are crucial to the party’s future and their political skills will be honed under the guidance of senior leaders.

In the recently held Assembly elections, PDP won the three seats of Pulwama, Tral and Kupwara — all in the Valley — which was its worst performance since its inception.

In 2014, the PDP had emerged as the single largest party, when it won 28 seats.