Joined hands with BJP to end uncertainty in J&K: Mufti

 J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed today said that he joined hands with BJP to "put an end to uncertainty in the state", asserting that he has "no aspiration for power"."Mufti does not have aspiration for power. This coalition which I have formed is not for power," he said.

Speaking at a function to commemorate the birth centenary of late Congress leader Girdhari Lal Dogra, Mufti underlined the motive behind the PDP-BJP coalition in the state government.

"When I joined hands with BJP and when I say it is meeting of North and South pole, it is because I have a dream that this uncertainty will come to an end and a peaceful and conductive environment would be created," he said.

The PDP leader noted that the integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country is of vital importance.

"It is my dream that we want to connect J&K with the country, but we could not connect Jammu with Kashmir. I want to promise the people of J&K that we want to do justice and end the sense of discrimination in the state.

"We have done justice with all the three regions of J&K --Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu during my 2002-2005 rule", he said.

Mufti said that his government will take necessary steps to "change the destiny of J&K" and will try to "resolve contradictions".

"I want to say that we will change the destiny of J&K. Former PM V P Singh used to say politics is an art of possibility of managing contradictions. It is my dream that we have support of everybody and we will try and resolve contradictions," he said.

The centenary celebrations were well attended with leaders from different political parties in attendance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Gulam Nabi Azad, Karan Singh among others were present in the function.

Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad termed late leader Dogra as a hardcore Congress loyalist who strived for the integrity and sovereignty of the country.

"He was a hardcore 24 carat congressman who never compromised on his ideology. He was an epitome of integrity who always stood to safeguard the sovereignty and secular character of the country," he said.

The leader noted that people from all walks of life cutting across party lines have gathered to pay their tributes to Dogra was a testimonial of the stature that he enjoyed.
Azad said that another glaring example of the stature of Girdhari Lal Dogra was that he presented the state budget for 26 times as the finance minister of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who is also the son-in-law of Dogra said that the late leader shared personal relations with people from various ideologies.

"Be it Sheikh Sahab (Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah) or Prem Nath Dogra, he shared personal relations with everyone, irrespective of the difference in their political ideology", Jaitley said.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence on the birth centenary celebrations of Dogra proved the fact that he was respected by all.

Jaitley said that the Girdhari Lal Dogra Memorial Trust that organized the function had also invited former chief minister Farooq Abdullah but because of his health he could not come to attend the function.

Senior congress leader and Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha Karan Singh threw light on the life of Dogra and said that he worked for national interest while he stood witness to various ups and down in the politics of the state.