Srinagar, Dec 14: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday termed her party’s alliance with BJP a suicide with Modi not proving Vajpayee, SAARC not used for peace in Kashmir and Pakistan becoming an election issue in India.
Taking part in “Kashmir-The Way Forward”, Mehbooba said, “There is total distrust and disconnect between people of Kashmir and Delhi (Central Government). They look inwards or outwards (outside the border) for support.”
On Vajpayee’s support to late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed from 2002-05, Mehbooba said, “Between 2002-05, it was the golden period of Kashmir, since for the first time the CM of Kashmir and PM of India were on the same page.”
On her party’s alliance with BJP after 2014 elections PDP president said, “After the 2014 elections, we joined hands with the BJP. It was suicide, but we put everything on the line because we hoped that Modi will pick up where Vajpayee ji left. Unfortunately, Modi ji could not rise to the occasion.”
When asked about peace through governance, the former CM said, “Governance is only possible if you have peace. Kashmiris are the sufferers. Till when will our people keep witnessing this farce of people getting killed?”
On the role of SAARC for peace in Kashmir, Mehbooba said, “Personally, I feel that #SAARC countries are being held hostage to the animosity between India and Pakistan. For example, why can’t we have a SAARC Handicrafts University in Kashmir?”
On elections, she said, “Thank God we are living in a democracy where people are allowed to vote and not cows.”
On PaK administered Kashmir and resolution of Kashmir issue within the Indian constitution, the PDP chief said, “We need to replace the idea of ‘Azad Kashmir’ with a better idea within the framework of the Indian Constitution. We cannot go back to 1947, we have to move forward.”
On political realignments in the current political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba said, “The alliance between Congress, NC and PDP is the need of the hour.”
When asked about Pakistan coming in focus during elections in India, PDP chief said, “India is never an issue during #Pakistan elections. However, that is not the case in India.”
When asked about resolution of Kashmir issue keeping in view the present scenario in Indian subcontinent, she said, “It is for the country to rise up, reach the Kashmiris and find a solution. All the SAARC nations must come together and make Jammu & Kashmir a model of cooperation.”
