Newsmaker | Mehbooba’s daughter Iltija gets a step up in party, ‘short of a political role’

The news about Iltija’s appointment, though sudden, is not unexpected. In the last four years, there have been enough indications of her readiness to step into the shoes of her mother and grandfather Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the former J&K CM who founded the PDP.

The 36-year-old, however, said she doesn’t see her new position as a formal plunge into politics. “I don’t agree that I am formally joining politics,” she told The Indian Express. “My role is limited to advising the former chief minister on how to deal with the media. The media has become the primary medium of interaction, an important medium. I believe it is a space where a lot can be done. If I can help amplify her (Mufti’s) voice and contribute my two cents, why not? My role is to help her (Mufti) to deal with the media in whatever way I can.”

Iltija agreed there was a thin line between her role and a political position. “I am not getting into the organisation. That’s not my role. I know that In a place like Kashmir, everything is political. I am not going to be like an ostrich to deny the political nature of everything,” she said, adding, “If and when I do take a plunge into formal politics, it would be for everyone to see.”

Iltija’s political journey began when her mother was detained following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. With most mainstream political leaders in Kashmir in detention, she emerged as a mainstream voice in the Valley, participating in television debates. Iltija took charge of her mother’s social media accounts, especially X, and her public profile rose as a result of this.

After Mehbooba’s release 14 months later, Iltija was seen by her side during her media interactions and meetings. A major indication that Mehbooba’s younger daughter was planning to play a more formal role in the party came in June 2022 when she started a fortnightly video conversation series on X called “Aapki baat Iltija ke saath (Conversations with Iltija)” to “talk about the issues and decisions” affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier this year, Iltija took on the authorities over the renewal of her passport. With her passport expiring on January 2, she applied for a fresh one in advance on June 8, 2022. After the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Srinagar, did not issue her one, Iltija approached the J&K High Court this February, urging it to direct the RPO to renew her passport. She also wrote to Special DGP (CID) RR Swain, requesting him to complete the verification process. The RPO issued her the passport in April despite the CID’s adverse verification report, which has been classified as “top secret”. In February, the court had issued directions for a passport to be issued to Iltija’s maternal grandmother Gulshan Nazir. At the time, the court lashed out at the Regional Passport Officer, telling him “not to act as a mouthpiece of the CID”.

Iltija holds an honours degree in Political Science from Delhi University and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Warwick University.