Modi is not intolerant, wants inclusive development: Mufti Sayeed

 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not intolerant and rather wanted inclusive development for everybody in the country.

The chief minister was laying the foundation stone of a green park here at the Tattoo ground, vacated by the army on Tuesday after 1947 following a long-pending demand by successive governments.

Talking to media persons after the function, Sayeed said: "Modi is not intolerant. He is the prime minister of such a big country. He joined hands with us (Peoples Democratic Party) while we have just three members in the Lok Sabha. He must have a vision for doing so."

Sayeed also said that the prime minister's November 7 Kashmir visit was long overdue.
"People have expectations from his visit since his slogan has always been for development. He is focusing on issues facing J&K," Sayeed said.

Asked if the prime minister would announce an all-inclusive economic package for the state during his upcoming visit, Sayeed said: "To announce a package or not is the prime minister's prerogative."

Talking about relations between India and Pakistan, Sayeed said it would be good for India and all of us to have good relations with Pakistan, as animosity has not yielded anything so far.

"If India has to become a world power, these things will have to be taken into consideration. I am hopeful that despite ups and downs, in the long run we want to be friends," he said.

As the state government took possession of the Tattoo ground, the chief minister said a month ago the army had finally agreed to hand over the possession of the prime land to the Jammu and Kashmir government.

Following agreement between the state government and the army, 139 acres of prime land in Tatoo ground, Srinagar, has been vacated by the army.