Performance will be a key issue in elections: Mehbooba
By News Agency of Kashmir
Akhnoor (Jammu) : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Ms Mehbooba Mufti today said the upcoming assembly elections would be purely performance-based and not personality-based as the people have now tasted development and they would never allow this momentum to dither.
Addressing a day-long convention of the PDP workers here this afternoon, Mehbooba said the elected representatives have a crucial role in shaping up a politically dignified, economically vibrant and socially stable future for the people of the State. “This was the guiding principle for the Coalition Government when it assumed office in 2002 leading to a quick and noticeable transformation in the ground situation and the public mindset,” she said and added that PDP, as a partner of the coalition government, has pursued its political agenda with commitment for finding a peaceful resolution of the State’s political and economic problems.
PDP, Mehbooba said strongly believes that an amicable solution of the Kashmir problem lies in democratic and political means and the use of force is no substitute for a policy of engagement, dialogue and reconciliation. She said the party would, with added dedication, pursue its agenda of encouraging the course of dialogue and reconciliation and translate its philosophy of healing touch into concrete measures for the general relief and betterment of the people in all the regions of the State.
Ms Mufti said while the responsibility of resolving the external dimensions of the Kashmir problem lies with India and Pakistan, internally we will have to move fast in bringing the democratic temper, character and tradition of our country in its full force and measure to Jammu & Kashmir. “It is a pity that even after sixty years of independence, for whatever reasons, democratic institutions in Jammu & Kashmir, for their very survival, have to seek shelter under the law enforcing agencies,” she said and added that the most effective security system is provided by the people of a place and in Jammu & Kashmir, as well, the people’s supremacy has to be reestablished for the ultimate solution of their problems.
Stressing the need for speedy implementation of the recommendations of the Working Groups to strengthen the internal confidence building process, Mehbooba while welcoming the Government of India’s move to put in place a mechanism for implementation of the recommendations termed it an endorsement of the PDP’s stand that for any feasible solution of the Kashmir issue, people of the State have to be carried along by making them a part of the reconciliation process through various reconciliatory measures. “At the same time the Government of India shall have to move ahead with political courage on the measures like reduction of troops and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the larger interest of peace,” she said.
Mehbooba said the PDP identifies itself with every section of the society, especially the youth, who have faced much of the brunt during turmoil. “Any resolution of the Kashmir issue must ensure not only peace and prosperity for all the regions of the State but pioneering opportunities for youth as well,” she said and added that the youth must now be in the driving seat of the change that is going to unfold in the State. She asked the youth to shoulder the responsibility of pulling the State out of the morass by plunging into political arena.