Jammu, Mar 30: Agenda of Alliance which became instrumental for forming the coalition Government in Jammu & Kashmir between PDP and BJP is an express commitment to the people of the state on resolution of Kashmir problem through reconciliation and dialogue.
Stating this Vice President Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sartaj Madni emphasized the need to carry forward the initiatives that are necessary for fulfilling the promises made in the alliance document in the larger interest of the peace in the region and bringing an end to the prolonged miseries of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Madni said the appointment of Disneshwar Sharma as an interlocutor has already set in motion the process and a beginning has been made at local level for a required connect to forge reconciliation. State government has taken several confidence building measures to instill faith and trust among the people, particularly youth alongwith holistic development plans and misery mitigating welfare measures.
However, delay in resumption of sustainable dialogue and revival of peace initiatives between India and Pakistan is causing worries and has the potential of undermining the Agenda of Alliance (AoA), Madni said adding vital initiatives that were taken during Vajpayee regime in this direction also are seen missed at the peril of the much desired peace process.
Madni said Vajpayee Doctrine had emerged as a benchmark for shared concerns and this process was able to claim public approval at local as well as sub-continental level.
Madni recalled how PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed amply contributed to Vajpayee’s peace campaign which changed the discourse entirely creating ambience for conflict resolution. It was as result of this campaign that then Pakistan President reciprocated to transform hostility into bonhomie and the region was filled with hope and optimism. Vajpayee – Musharaf mutual understanding took the Kashmir problem nearer to solution. It is an irony and misfortune that the process got scuttled before it could culminate into something tangible. Alas the conflict was perpetuated compounding the issues and progress made was reversed at the peril of the people.
Madni said even as state Government made concerted efforts to carry ahead the developmental agenda and pursued the course for political reconciliation through series of developmental, welfare and amnesty measures, the dip in Indo–Pak relations pushed the state into fresh spell of bloodshed.
Madni said Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had desired otherwise when he entered into government formation with BJP, it was his hope and belief that under the leadership of Narender Modi, Vajpayee initiative will be resumed and Indo-Pak relations would improve as a tribute to the veteran national leader.
Madni said alliance reflected this belief and PDP’s own resolve to resolve Kashmir when Mehbooba followed her mentor and leader to continue alliance.
“She was no less influenced with the Vajpayee example and promise made in the AoA, which she has been seeing as the only reference point for resolution of issues including the Kashmir issue. She has never discredited the AOA and in fact made herself an offer for internal dialogue, besides exhorting upon New Delhi to forge friendly ties with neighbouring Pakistan,” he said.
Madni said it is heartening to note that Union Government has bound itself not to fiddle with Article 370, as promised in AoA, however, much needs to be done at diplomatic and political level to assuage the feelings of the people and creating of a congenial atmosphere matching the 2002-2005 golden period.
