Srinagar, April 29 (Scoop News) – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has said Jammu & Kashmir in view of its diversity requires an inclusive government that can connect and cater to the aspirations of all regions and communities living in it. Addressing a public meeting at Ganderbal today he said while the PDP expects a decisive mandate in the next elections it would strive to run the state through consensus by involving other political stake holders as well. On this occasion a senior leader and former deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig said the doors of the party are open for every one who has the good of the state at heart and who wants to contribute to peace and development. Party’s chief spokesperson Naeem Akhtar, former Minister Qazi Mohammed Afzal, district president Bandipore Yasir Reshi, Vice President Ganderbal district Bashir Ahmad Mir, Sernior Leader Javaid Nizami and others were also present.
Mufti said the party’s agenda for resolution of Kashmir issue was under implementation when its tenure ended. But the unfinished business has to be completed and for that we will need every body’s active cooperation and support, he said and added a sense of participation in power of every section is essential for the success of any historic effort that we intend to make.
Mufti said the confidence building measures between India and Pakistan after 2003 Vajpayee initiative and the change in the political atmosphere of sub continent had much to do with the free and fair exercise of vote in Jammu & Kashmir and Ganderbal had a special role in that. He said Ganderbal had sent in 2002 a powerful message of change across the state and even out side. He said that spirit has to be revived if the mission of resolution has to be taken to its logical conclusion.
Mufti said though he treats public endorsement and power through elections as an honour bestowed by the people but his actual ambition at this stage of life is to bring the state out of the morass of uncertainty and instability. He said that might have happened by now if the process had not been snapped in 2008 mainly because of the tactical rigging in some seats including Srinagar.
Mufti said next elections, whenever they are held will be conducted on the comparative performance of political parties both in govt and in opposition. He said solid issues will be there for people to vote for. While on the top will be the political resolution of Jammu & Kashmir, important economic issues like the power crisis will have to be debated and brought into public attention for its solution. For the PDP, he said return of power projects and renegotiation of terms with the NHPC will be of crucial importance.
Mufti said unemployment is a huge challenge and we will need to have a clear policy on tackling it and providing remunerative and dignified jobs to our educated and skilled population. He said the present government has utterly failed on this crucial front and instead of having resolved their problems it has targeted the youth as ‘enemies of the state’ and demonized them as stone pelters, drug addicts and criminals. He said youth are the real asset of a nation and if we fail in realizing their potential we can never hope to build a self reliant and self respecting nation. “No government is worth its salt if it fails the youth” he said.