Mehbooba holds first public interaction after Mufti’s death

Introduces brother Tassaduq to young entrepreneurs from Valley

In her first public interaction since the death of her father, Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti today met young start-up entrepreneurs of Kashmir.
While the PDP maintains that it was an apolitical meeting and was fulfilment of one of the last wishes of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the meeting gains significance as it was held at a time when there is suspense over government formation in J&K and Mehbooba is keeping everyone, including its alliance partner BJP, guessing.
During the three-hour meeting, nearly 50 start-ups shared their success stories and the difficulties that were being faced by them. Mehbooba listened to them keenly and assured them that she would address their issues as a Member of Parliament.
Mehbooba’s brother Tassaduq Mufti also attended the meeting and interacted with the young entrepreneurs.
“Tassaduq has some ideas and he too wants to listen to young people,” Mehbooba told the young entrepreneurs while introducing her brother to them.
There has been widespread speculation that that the 45-year-old cinematographer son of the late Chief Minister may join politics. This is Tassaduq’s second meeting in the last few days. He also attended the PDP core group meet on January 17.
“It is not an official function and this meeting is not between the government and entrepreneurs. It is a meeting between an MP and entrepreneurs of Kashmir. We will help you in whatever way we can,” Mehbooba said. “When Mufti Saheb was in ICU at AIIMS, he had reminded me about meeting you all. I am fulfilling his wish.”
An organiser of the event said the former Chief Minister had planned to constitute awards for these start-ups. “As Mufti Saheb is no more, the idea behind this meeting today was to appreciate the efforts of these young entrepreneurs,” he said.
The entrepreneurs who were part of the meeting said such interactions should be frequent so that the government could be in direct touch with young people of the Valley who otherwise feel alienated.
A budding entrepreneur who was part of the meeting said Mehbooba Mufti was keen to listen to new ideas and seek suggestions from the participants.
“I told them that I am organizing a young Kashmiri leaders summit in New Delhi. They welcomed the idea and said they would provide support,” said Ahmer Khan, who runs an event management company.

Farooq visits Mufti’s residence
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday visited the residence of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohamamd Sayeed and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, including PDP president Mehbooba Mufti. Farooq visited Mufti’s residence as soon as he returned to Kashmir on Friday, an NC spokesman said.