A new political controversy has occurred in Jammu and Kashmir after Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) launched a campaign calling for a ban on liquor sales in the valley.

On Sunday, Mufti joined her party’s signature campaign supporting the ban, while the National Conference (NC) criticised the PDP, accusing it of "hypocrisy for opposing the ban when in power."

Over the weekend, posters advocating the ban appeared across Srinagar, urging tourists to "respect local culture and traditions." The police’s removal of these posters has drawn criticism from the Opposition.

The signature campaign was initiated on Saturday by Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, at the head office of PDP.

“We are here for a serious issue. Drugs and alcohol are spreading like wildfire. PDP MLA from Kupwara has introduced a bill in the J-K assembly seeking a ban on alcohol. We have started the signature campaign from the PDP office," Mufti informed reporters following the launching of the campaign.

The ruling National Conference (NC) refreshed the memory of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) of "their days when in power."

“Before launching their signature campaign, JKPDP must be held accountable for their blatant hypocrisy. In 2016, the PDP government ruled out an alcohol ban but is now shamelessly playing to galleries. The PDP has always been a party built on lies, deception and opportunism," stated NC representative Imran Dar.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is set to convene for the budget session on March 3, where intense discussions are expected, as three members have proposed bills seeking a ban on liquor.

PDP’s Fayaz Ahmad Mir, National Conference’s Ahsan Pardesi, and Awami Ittehad Party’s (AIP) Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad have individually introduced bills in the assembly, each proposing a ban on liquor sales in the Union Territory.