A role model for the State, say elated Mehbooba's daughters

Two bright, young women cheered from the sidelines as Mehbooba Mufti took oath as the first woman Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.

Known to maintain distance from politics otherwise, Irtiqa and Iltija, daughters of Ms. Mufti, accompanied their mother to the Raj Bhavan to witness the beginning of a new era in the State.

“It’s a historic moment. We are seeing a woman coming to the forefront. She (Ms. Mufti) becoming the first woman Chief Minister means a lot to me and the women of J&K,” said elder daughter Irtiqa.

“I cried when my mother was being sworn in… She is going to be a role model for not only the women of the State, but the people in general.”

Her younger sister Iltija said her mother is “connected to the grassroots” and “is a democrat”.