Don't ignore Kashmir issues, says Mufti

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Tuesday reiterated that overwhelming participation of people in ongoing Assembly polls should not be misconstrued as an indication of the Kashmir issue having disappeared without addressing it.

“We should not mislead ourselves about sweeping the issue under the carpet as was done on earlier occasions,” he said while addressing election rallies in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Calling upon the country’s leadership to commit itself with political will to address all the dimensions of the problem in a manner that balances and promotes enduring political and economic stability in the region, Mufti said: “Peoples’ reassertion of trust in the democratic means for the resolution of their problems, offers fresh opportunity to the Government of India to consolidate the peace efforts, and rejuvenate the resolution and reconciliation process through tangible measures.”

He reiterated his party’s resolve to work hand-in-hand with the progressive and democratic forces in the country and the region for the resolution of the Kashmir problem and the problems plaguing Jammu and Kashmir.

“Our focus would be on fulfilling the party’s unfinished agenda of ensuring political stability and economic prosperity for the people in all the regions and sub regions of the state,” the PDP patron said. He added that both short and long term measures would be taken to get the state and its people their due share of the economic development.

Expressing satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of second phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti said the ongoing elections are a testing time for the people, as they would be not just electing their representatives for governance, but chalking out a new political and economic course for the state.

He urged people not to let their power to determine the state’s destiny be misused by the ‘divisive elements to impair the distinct identity and special constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir.’