* Omar for talks with all stakeholders
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 24: National Conference president and former Chief Minister of J&K, Dr Farooq Abdullah today claimed that former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his then Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharief, who is also the Pakistan Premier presently, had agreed on keep the Kashmir they have presently and convert the Line of Control (LoC) into the International Border (IB).
“When Vajpayee Ji returned from Lahore after travelling there in bus and meeting Nawaz Sharief, I asked him what transpired between the two and what was conclusion of the talks. Vajpayee Ji told me that both had agreed on keeping the Kashmir the two countries have at present with them but wanted to delay the announcement waiting for an opportune time,” Farooq revealed while addressing a public meeting in Kishtwar today along with NC working president Omar Abdullah.
“Honestly speaking, this is the only solution to resolve the issues between India and Pakistan. Let India have the Kashmir which is with it at present and Pakistan keeps PoK. And India should give internal autonomy to Kashmir by keeping only defence, communications and foreign affairs with the Centre and giving rest all powers to the State,” Dr Abdullah said, adding this was the only solution to Kashmir problem. It may be mentioned here that Farooq Abdullah’s National Conference was a constituent of Vajpayee led NDA from 1999 to 2004.
Regretting that he was not taken to Pakistan in the bus to Lahore by then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Farooq claimed that he met Vajpayee after he returned from Pakistan and was briefed on possible solutions discussed in the meeting.
Dr Abdullah reiterated the significance of dialogue between New Delhi and all the stakeholders in Kashmir and externally, with Pakistan, adding that sooner or later, the Centre will have to talk to Islamabad for lasting peace in the region.
He said the solution to the Kashmir problem lied in a “sustained dialogue” and not in the “military might” or “aggression” on the LoC and International Border.
The former Chief Minister said dissent and discontent in the Valley could not be silenced by “canons on the border or pellet guns in Kashmir”, but New Delhi must show “compassion” and try to win the hearts and minds of the people, especially the disillusioned youth.
“Any rigid stance in dealing with the volatile, complex political situation in Kashmir will prove to be counter-productive and have adverse ramifications for the entire region,” he cautioned.
Taking on Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq said the PDP-BJP Agenda of Alliance has called for talks with all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir including Hurriyat Conference and Pakistan.
“Tell me what happened to the talks. When they will be held? Where they will be held?”, he asked and said the chairs will come and go but Mehbooba must hold on to her words of talks, which have clearly been mentioned in the Agenda of Alliance,” the NC president said.
Farooq claimed that the PDP-BJP Government in the State was rendered “defunct” and its writ was being questioned on a daily basis by quarters it had tried to first appease and then, suppress.
“Such is the writ of the Government in the Valley that business establishments, transport, schools and every other sphere of activity is running as per the weekly protest schedules and calendars,” he said.
Abdullah said Mehbooba should not “misinterpret” the signs of normalcy and activities in the Valley as restoration of normalcy as all such activities were being carried out “in accordance with the weekly schedules being issued by Hurriyat leaders”.
“Mehbooba Mufti should see the writing on the wall and understand that the mass discontent is not only due to the complete refusal of the government to acknowledge the Kashmir issue, but also because of the PDP’s betrayal to those who had voted for and supported it during the 2014 election,” he said, while referring to the “anti-BJP” plank of the PDP during electioneering and its subsequent “U-turns” in the run-up to forging an alliance with the saffron party.
Dr Abdullah alleged that the PDP had instilled a “sense of fear” among the voters regarding the “looming threat and danger” of the BJP making inroads into Kashmir, but ironically, “changed its colours with the sole aim of attaining political power at the cost of its ideology and promises”.
He claimed that “political opportunism” and “breach of the people’s trust” would have serious implications for the PDP.
In this backdrop, strengthening of the NC “at the grassroots” assumed an “added significance” to meet the challenges faced by the State, Farooq said.
The veteran NC leader claimed that the NC was “not guided blindly with the sole aim of attaining power”. Its unflinching political philosophy was to safeguard the honour and dignity of the people and uphold the unity and integrity of the state with opportunities of progress for all, irrespective of caste, creed, colour or regional affiliation, he added.
Addressing the meeting, former Chief Minister and NC working president Omar Abdullah asked the Centre to immediately hold parleys with all stakeholders who are willing to talk to bring an end to the political uncertainty and long lasting solution to Kashmir problem, which is a political issue and needs “practical and sustainable” solution.
“National Conference (NC) seeks an immediate engagement between New Delhi and all stakeholders in Kashmir willing to talk to the Centre for bringing an end to political uncertainty and to look for a lasting solution,” he said.
Terming Kashmir as a “political” issue that needs “practical and sustainable political” solution, the NC working president asked the Central Government to acknowledge the resentment and anguish in the Valley and “realise that there is an ocean of mistrust and anger that keeps snowballing into such agitations and mass unrest”.
Referring to unrests in 2008, 2010 and 2016, he said it would be impossible to restore lasting peace in the Valley “unless the issue is resolved as per the satisfaction and sentiments of the people”.
Expressing concerns over continued unrest in the Valley for past four months and the loss of young lives, Omar held Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti responsible for the prolonged political uncertainty and turmoil in the Valley.
“PDP had been accusing me for the 2010 uprising and tragic loss of lives when they were in the opposition, and now by the same logic of culpability she should own up the responsibility of over 90 deaths, blinding of hundreds of boys and girls and injuries to over 10,000 old, young and women,” he said.
Alleging that the people of the Valley have only “been witnessing bullets and pellets” ever since PDP took the reins, Omar said “Where the slogan of ‘Goli Se Nahi Boli Se’ had vanished? What have you done for engaging all stakeholders in the dialogue process or facilitating New Delhi to talk to Pakistan.”
Referring to the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ made between the BJP and PDP, Abdullah said “What happened to the promise of releasing political prisoners? Today, you have filled all jails with young boys and are issuing more PSA orders than at any time in the recent past”.
Omar claimed that he along with the opposition leaders in J-K went to seek indulgence of the President, the Prime Minister and important leaders of various national political parties to put an end to “atrocities being committed upon the people.”
Drawing a contrast between the PDP and the NC in their inherent political approaches, Abdullah said, during the 2010 unrest, PDP leaders went to New Delhi to instigate and motivate the central leadership for sabotaging and seeking the dismissal of his government rather than trying to work to restore peace and normalcy.
“On the contrary, we never sought the removal of the Chief Minster, a job to be performed by the people of this state in a democratic exercise – people who feel terribly let down by this dispensation,” he added.
Responding to various issues raised by the local MLC and former minister Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, Omar said that lack of political direction had led to a crisis with development coming to grinding halt and utility services suffering the most.
National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammed Sagar, Additional general secretary Dr Sheikh Mustaffa Kamal, provincial president Devender Singh Rana and other party leaders were present in the public meeting.
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