These elections may be over, but for us real work starts now; to stand up to your expectations, to live up to our promises. There could never have been a more humbling moment for us than this, when you, the common people of J&K have exhibited your confidence in PDP, even after having faced hardships for years, especially the recent devastating floods. An overwhelming majority of the electorate from the state participating in the recent electoral process have only reaffirmed their faith in democratic systems and expressed their strong desire to push for a governance change, aimed to usher in accountability and responsibility. And standing up to such expectations of common people is not going to be easy for any party, especially after what unfolded in the state over past years. But this change will only be accomplished with the active participation of all political forces, irrespective of their political viewpoint, and inclusiveness of the common people. We thank the electorate from the core of our heart and take this opportunity to seek participation from all of you, irrespective of your ideology, to contribute in changing the fortunes of our state. The trust electorate has placed in us is sacred and we shall do our utmost to justify the faith you reposed in us. All of you have an equal right in the state, an equal share in its governance whether you voted or not, and we shall be accountable to all, irrespective of the political spectrum or ideology they belong to. We shall include all, rather than exclude any. In our efforts of rebuilding the state, we seek the active cooperation of not only the common people but also of our political opposition. It is time to keep the interests of the state above any political differences. In view of the recent carnage at the Peshawar school we have decided to keep the post result events as low key, for these terror acts have saddened our hearts and left a deep scar in our minds. Who else but we can understand the pain and anguish of these parents, for we too have suffered from guns and violence for decades, lost children and youngsters. Such scars are not only bodily, but also leave deep post traumatic psychological imprints on generations to come. We have understood these silent traumatic challenges in our state and will do all we can to help heal such psychological wounds of our people. We also understand the challenges our younger generation is facing and are committed to provide them avenues, help and hope via various initiatives. No violence has ever achieved any political goals nor has force ever succeeded in pushing a political or ideological viewpoint. While we respect all political ideologies, there shall be every effort to cease violence in the state and provide much needed peace to commoners who have been bearing the brunt of violence for decades here. No loss of life is ever worth the political or ideological viewpoint anyone may have. While the task ahead of us is colossal, of rebuilding the state, of infusing confidence and accountability among people, of building peace efforts and economic recovery, but we are not frightened by what lies ahead nor are we afraid of the huge efforts required to achieve these goals. For we know to achieve these goals we all shall have to work together with determination. Our state has for centuries been a bouquet of different ethnicities and faiths and we shall make all efforts to further greater understanding and equal development of all regions and sub regions. Once again, thank you, thank you to every supporter of PDP for without you we would not have reached this far, to every voter who participated in this democratic process and voted for whatever party, to every person in the state who believes in democracy and to every individual who let these elections pass relatively peacefully. We all owe our future generations a better future, our state a chance to peace and prosperity. Lets together work to achieve this goal and bring our state from the depths of despair towards hope.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 09:25:53 +0000