Mufti bats for inclusion of separatists in Kashmir talks

Pitching for the inclusion of separatists in talks, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Thursday said New Delhi will have to take measures to address both the internal and external dimensions of the Kashmir issue.

“The Central government headed by Narendra Modi shall have to pursue an agenda which would be politically-inclusive and developmentally-intensive. It shall have to take measures to address both the internal and external dimensions of the Kashmir issue taking on-board all the stakeholders, including the separatists,” Mufti said while addressing an election rally in Ganderbal district.

Mufti claimed that while the PDP would continue to act as a facilitator for resolving the Kashmir issue and the issues confronting the state, the party will carry forward its agenda of political resolution, economic development, good governance, justice and merit, foundations for which it had laid in 2002.

Terming the power of vote as the game-changer in a democratic set-up, Mufti said a new course for the state can be decided only by the people by using their right to franchise effectively.  “Let me make it clear that the power to change the destiny of the state lies with the people of J&K and not elsewhere,” the former chief minister said.

“Not only to show the door to those who have traded the state’s interests for power, but also to give a befitting reply to the divisive elements who are out to polarise the people on religious and ethnic lines.”