Mir Farhat
Srinagar, Apr 9: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that the alliance between National Conference and Congress in 1987 was the foundation of militancy in the State.
“It is unfortunate that in 1987 when National Conference and Congress formed alliance it became the foundation of militancy. Now when they formed alliance (2008) they hanged Afzal Guru,” Mufti told reporters at Deputy Commissioner’s office here.
Mufti was accompanying Tariq Hamid Karra, the party’s candidate for Srinagar-Ganderbal Parliament seat during the filing of nomination papers.
“Was not there anybody for UPA to hang than Afzal Guru? Can it happen that Government of India will hang a Kashmiri without the consent of the State’s Chief Minister?” Mufti asked.
Mufti blamed the present NC-Congress Government in the state for increasing the alienation between the people and the Centre.
The former Chief Minister said that abrogation of Article 370 cannot happen and Jammu and Kashmir’s special status is non-negotiable despite whichever Government comes in power at Centre.
“It (special status) is about giving something not taking away. If they (India) want to snatch the status, they cannot snatch it,” Mufti said while rejecting the BJP’s manifesto of abrogating Article 370.
Mufti also welcomed the open letter of Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addressed to the people of India for early settlement of Kashmir issue.
“We accept Hurriyat has an identity and they have a role in resolution of Kashmir issue. PDP will support Moulana Omar Farooq to raise the issue of Kashmir in the Parliament of India,” he said.
Mufti slammed his rival National Conference for blaming his party for neglecting Srinagar during their rule in 2002.
“What did NC achieve in these five years, how much autonomy did they achieve? They did not do anything on development front in the state. PDP tried to make Srinagar Venice of Kashmir,” said Mufti.
To a question about NC’s accusing the PDP of openly supporting Modi, Mufti said that he did not need to testify it, “but NDA-led Government started peace process in Kashmir. They showed a roadmap of peace, and today are moving on that roadmap”.
In reply to a question about his achievements as Chief Minister of the state, Mufti said that he wanted to take ashore the boat of people but people of Kashmir didn’t wanted that and they did not give us mandate in 2008. “Now the situation is before you to see how the change has helped,” he said pointing towards the NC-Congress Government.
Mufti said that people should give mandate to his party candidates if they want the representation of their aspirations and oppressed state.
Karra, in reply to a question said that “NC has made Modi a poll plank. Why do they speak only about Modi? We have not made Modi a poll plank. We stand on our legs and not on anybody’s crutches. We have our positives to speak upon. I don’t know why do they feel confident when they speak about Modi or BJP. And, the same BJP which they were part of (in NDA-led Government).”
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