For CM, Pahalgam victory sweet but Batamaloo ‘better’

What has come as a shot in Mufti’s arm is the PDP’s surprise win in Batamaloo, a one-time militant stronghold and an Assembly segment that has been traditionally held by the National Conference. The victory of Tariq Hamid Qarra at Batamaloo has opened gates of Urban Srinagar for the PDP, which was seen as a rural party.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Mufti attributed the victory to the coalition policies of healing touch, economic upliftment and development work. ‘‘The mandate of the people is an endorsement of our developmental policies,’’ he said.

Mufti said more than his victory, ‘‘which was a foregone conclusion’’, ‘‘Batamaloo is a better feat, as a few years ago nobody would dare to cast a vote here’’.

Mufti’s win would enable him to exert more moral authority on the coalition partners, especially the Congress. Moreover, he would now be on a stronger wicket to persuade the Centre to resume talks with Kashmiri separatists of all hues. In fact, Mufti is going on a three-day visit to Delhi tomorrow, where he will meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and the PM.