“I’m not here to be mumma’s daughter, I’ve my own identity. Mehbooba Mufti is not just my mother, she is our party’s president. I’m not completely new to media, I’ve been active for the last five years…” Iltija Mufti went on giving statements like this during her exclusive interview with Aaj Tak and with her every statement, she hammered her determination and showcased that the third-generation Mufti is not in this political battle just to be a mumma’s daughter. She is here to carve her own identity.
Iltija Mufti making her debut
Iltija Mehbooba Mufti (as mentioned in her electoral affidavit) is all set to make her political debut in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. She has filed her nomination as a PDP candidate from the Srigufwara–Bijbehara constituency, a territory that has been the citadel of Muftis for decades.
Kashmir is the graveyard of reputations
Speaking on the Kashmir politics, she said it’s impossible to read people’s minds here. We get to know what they think only after they cast their votes. On what she wishes to achieve if not just power, the junior Mufti said, “Kashmir is the graveyard of all the reputations. There have been historic politicians but the moment they were buried, their reputation too was evaporated. I want people to respect me, I know they love me and I’m grateful for that”, she said.
During her interaction, she underlined n number of times that she’s not just a daughter, she has seen both the biggies at home – Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti and has inculcated traits of both. Iltija said that she’s more rebellious and strong whereas her mother is strong but emotional.
People of Kashmir are not happy: Iltija
As per Iltija, the people of the Valley are not happy with what the centre did to the territory in 2019, and the Lok Sabha results are a testimony to this fact. Engineer Rashid grabbed victory by over two lakh votes and defeated Omar Abdullah, Iltija calls it the emotion of people who want them to be heard.
Also read: WATCH | Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid Lashes Out At Omar Abdullah, Modi
“If all is fine in Kashmir then why are our soldiers dying? Why did we lose them in Doda, Kupwara and Anantnag?”, She questioned. She also said that the PDP was in a coalition government with the BJP because they thought they would impact the thought process of Modi ji but the Modi govt imposed his belief over entire India.
Delving into personal deets
As per her electoral affidavit, Iltija Mehbooba Mufti is 37 years old and unmarried. She describes herself as an author/writer/consultant by profession who owns no agricultural land. Junior Mufti has pursued her Master’s in International Relations from Warwick University, UK. She owns Rs. 3,00,000 in cash and Rs. 25,00,000 worth of gold, jewellery, and other movable assets. Her gross assets are worth Rs. 28,00,000.
