Breaking his silence over government formation, Peoples Democratic Party patron, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed Saturday said his party was in informal negotiations with Bhartiya Janta Party and a coalition would be formed between the two parties on the basis of Common Minimum Programme depending upon areas of convergence. “We are in track-two negotiations with BJP. We may differ in our vision and priorities but an attempt is being made to find a common ground so as to evolve consensus on all issues to carry forward the peace process and political and economic agenda,” he said. “We will have to agree on basic issues and move forward for transforming Jammu and Kashmir into politically stable and economically developed state for which peace is the pre requisite,” Mufti said, adding that Common Minimum Programme will form the basics of governance in J&K for which negotiations were on with BJP. The PDP patron was addressing the electoral college of the party that had met here to elect PDP president. “Our alliance with any political party will be based on principals and policies. I assure you and people of Jammu and Kashmir that I will never sell my mandate and will not compromise on the basic, issues on which the people have reposed trust on PDP, just for the sake of power,” Mufti told the gathering. He said after some consensus evolves during the talks, PDP will depute its senior party leaders for holding structured dialogue with BJP. Reiterating that peace was the pre-requisite for economic viability in J&K, Mufti said Government of India will have to address Kashmir issue by holding meaningful dialogue. “We have time and again reiterated that neighbors cannot be changed. We must engage Pakistan in negotiations so to ensure peace in the sub-continent. We do not want to dictate terms as it is under the ambit of Prime Minister’s power to decide on the foreign policy matters. However, it is also clear that any hostility between India and Pakistan has a direct impact on Jammu and Kashmir and its people.” Calling for revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in time bound manner, Mufti said the requirement of such special powers to the forces no more exist in view of the drastic decline in militancy. “When such laws give adverse impression why should we have them,” he said, adding that PDP was clear on the issue that it does not want just an assurance for the sake of assurance on this subject but a proper plan to see that the law is repealed at the earliest. Mufti said the country’s leadership has to respond and respect the faith reposed by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in democratic process. “The best way to do that is to remove the impression that Jammu and Kashmir is being governed by military law. It is a source of embracement for our country even at the national level and the continuous use of special powers for security forces compromises dignity and personal liberty of the common people who must have the same benefit and rights as enjoyed by any citizen in the country.” The PDP patron said his party will also insist for returning of NHPC run power projects, especially Dul Hasti and Salal, to Jammu and Kashmir as per the recommendations of Rangrajan Committee. “The state of Jammu and Kashmir has suffered due to the Indus Water Treaty as the interest of state were not taken care of when such agreement was entered into,” he said adding that rivers being one of the biggest resources of state will have to be utilized for the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir and its people. Mufti said PDP wants that peace should prevail on the borders and within in the state. “We want to bridge the gap between India and Pakistan for ensuring peace in the region.” He said Narendera Modi had made the right beginning by inviting Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharief for his inauguration “but unfortunately this positive initiative was stalled soon after by calling off the talks between the foreign secretaries of the two countries”. He said that the decisive but fractured mandate has thrown up one of the biggest challenge for his party “but PDP will take up the challenge only if I feel that by entering into an alliance I will be in a position to connect people of all the regions and work for the welfare of entire state”. “We have the necessary material and capacity in the form of our leaders and policy makers to take up the challenge and do what people have voted us for. Our administration is best in the entire country and we are confident that we will achieve the distinction to give a stable, accountable and representative government.” He Kashmiri youth were facing problems in pursuing their studies outside the state. “The youth have become a particular victim of trust deficit between the state and rest of the country,” Mufti said. “My aim is to restore the dignity of citizens of Jammu and Kashmir whose loyalty to the country is suspected and who are required to prove their patriotism in every matter including finding a job, getting a passport or finding a residence outside the state. It is the blot on the fair name of our country that even after 70 years of independence Kashmiris have to prove their credentials and trust worthiness.” Mufti sought strengthening of cross-LoC trade and travel in the coming days. “LoC travel was envisioned to be a facility to everyone wanting to visit each other’s country and not to remain confined to the divided families. Travel across the LoC after 2005 has helped in removing many misconceptions about J&K, its development and the right enjoyed by the people in the state among those who come from other side of the LoC.” He said Jammu and Kashmir has to be developed as a showcase of India “and we should not shy in allowing the people to come and feel the difference”. “Similarly, the trade that was started on Uri- Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote route has to grow beyond its barter character and it need to be institutionalized by providing banking facilities so that people of all the regions of state benefit from free trade”. He said PDP remains committed for opening of other routes as well. The PDP patron also spoke about the party’s plan to curb corruption and ensure transparency and accountability in the government sector. “One of the objectives of the new government must be to meet the growing challenge of unemployment. We have best skilled and educated youth who are second to none. We just need to channelize their energy and capabilities for which immediate measures need to be taken,” he said.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 13:41:21 +0000
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