Journalism of Courage
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Monday said that India can emerge a super power only if it resolves the Kashmir issue and other disputes with Pakistan.
“India can attain the position of super power only if it improves ties with Pakistan by resolving all the unsettled issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mufti said while addressing an election rally at Pulwama in south Kashmir, a PDP bastion. “The Kashmir issue has jeopardised not only political stability in the region but is also hampering progress on economic fronts including enhanced regional cooperation for trade and commerce,” he said.
The PDP patron, who is tipped as the chief ministerial candidate, said that if India and Pakistan resolve the Kashmir issue amicably, it will lead to a “momentous turnaround in the region’s geopolitical situation”.
At the rally, Mufti also took a dig at BJP saying his party would “act as a fortress to defend the distinct identity” of Jammu and Kashmir and that it won’t allow anybody to dilute the special status of the state. “Having emerged as the representative voice of the people across the state, PDP would with full might counter the designs of the divisive forces aimed at diluting the special constitutional position of J&K,” he said.
“I hope that people would judge my party on the basis of its performance during our brief stint in the government, in opposition and on the basis of the agenda of change that we placed before them,” he added.
