Srinagar, Jun 19: PDP chief and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today claimed credit for not letting its coalition partner to tinker with the state’s special status as guaranteed under Article 370, and having facilitated a unilateral ceasefire during Ramazan and “withdrawal of cases against 11,000 youth” even as she warned against any “muscular policy” in the state.
“I am not shocked as this alliance was never for power. PDP never believes in power politics and we worked for the people,” she told reporters after an hour-long meeting with her ministers and party workers at her residence.
Mehbooba maintained that Jammu and Kashmir was not an enemy territory as being perceived by few. “We had always said muscular security policy will not work in J-K, reconciliation is the key,” she said.
She began her press conference by talking about the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, under which K&K enjoys a special status, and said “…we have safeguarded Article 370 and 35-A (of the Constitution) and we will continue to do that”.
“We have been able to withdraw 11,000 cases against the stone pelters,” she said while listing her side of the story after the BJP pulled out of its alliance with the PDP in the state.
She also mentioned about the unilateral ceasefire during Ramazan announced by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lahore in 2015.
“We vehemently defended 370 and 35-A in the court and withdraw cases against 11000 youth, we also succeeded in getting unilateral ceasefire, offer of dialogue from a person no less than Home Ministers himself,” she said t.
She said that her party believes in reconciliation and dialogue as muscular policy cannot work in Jammu and Kashmir state.
“We believe that there is no alternative to the PDP’s healing touch agenda under which talks should be held with Pakistan, people of Jammu and Kashmir, more and more routes (across the Line of Control) should be opened,” she added.
She said people heaved a sigh of relief and started roaming without any fear after several years “but unfortunately the response from the other side (to ceasefire) was not good,” she said.
She said the decision of forming an alliance with the BJP was taken by her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for the sole reason that BJP being a largest party in India and Narendra Modi being an influential Prime Minister will help people of Jammu and Kashmir to overcome the complexity’s they face.
“After BJP’s withdrawal of support today, I submitted my resignation to the Governor. Mufti Sahab had formed this alliance with a big vision and the decision was taken after due consideration. We shook hands with the largest party in centre and it took us months to form agenda of alliance,” said Mehbooba.
She said the basis of alliance with BJP was dialogue with Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir, confidence building measures and effective steps for reconciliation.
Mehbooba, who submitted her resignation to the Governor this evening , said her party will continue to strive for dialogue and reconciliation in the state.
“I have told the governor we will not go into any other alliance,” she said.
