Majid KapraSrinagar: Jammu and Kashmir would have for sure regained its pre-1953 status had the late Hurriyat (G) leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani not declined to meet with the all-party parliamentary delegation back in 2016, GM Shaheen, J&K president for Janata Dal (United) claimed Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Shaheen, is a “fearless decision-maker who is capable of doing things that others could hardly imagine”.
“The delegation had in-depth discussions about the situation that was prevalent in the valley before heading to Geelani’s residence for parleys. I was part of that meeting which was held at SKICC. However, Geelani did not let them in, thus preventing J&K from having its pre-1953 status restored,” Shaheen claimed in an exclusive talk with ‘Kashmir Images’.
The JD(U) leader said that his party, being a key ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), would not spare any efforts in assisting the people of J&K to overcome whatever challenges they may be experiencing.
“As I already said, PM Modi is a fearless decision-maker who is able to accomplish feats that others could hardly imagine. This man with a 57-inch broad chest is endowed with all-round abilities. I am confident that J&K, under the direction of Prime Minister Modi, will achieve unprecedented success in the next five years,” he added.
When asked what spurred him to discuss J&K’s pre-1953 status — that is, before the erstwhile state lost its special status under Article 370 — Shaheen said the Centre was eager to engage with the people in order to bring about normalcy in the region.
“Although it’s pointless to discuss what happened in the past, wasn’t it the arrogance and pompous attitude of Geelani which prevented him from meeting the all party parliamentary delegation back in 2016?” Shaheen asked, adding had he met the delegation, the situation for sure would have been different at the moment.
Responding to a question on whether his party will press the Center to free Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid, and other detainees, he said that his party is committing and will ensure the release of all those jailed without any cause.
“My party will definitely help Er Rashid if he is innocent, and all those who are languishing in jails for no fault of theirs. But one who has committed a crime cannot seek justice with unclean hands,” he added.
