“Mehbooba has an opportunity for a new beginning”
Srinagar, Jan 12 (KNS): Senior PDP leader and MP Tariq Hameed Karra has suggested to party president Mehbooba Mufti to form the next government with Congress party and other secular forces to stop communal forces from spreading in Kashmir.
Talking to KNS here, Karra said that a new situation has emerged after the death of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The senior leader said that he is always available as a worker for the service of the party to strengthen it. “A new combination, a new government can be formed given the situation today. My considered opinion is that she should open up the ways of talking to Congress. Congress is a secular party. And all the secular forces should unite and rise above their political positions to form an alliance with PDP. It will be a secular government. PDP has lost its support by tying up with a communal party.” “I have been saying from the last nine months that RSS-BJP is not acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Because it has a history that since 1952, RSS and BJP have a hidden agenda in Kashmir.” “What RSS could not achieve in the last six decades, they have achieved that in the last six months. And not only has it damaged Kashmir, but also Peoples Democratic Party in Kashmir.”
The PDP leader said that a fluid situation has emerged due to latest political situation. “Today, there is fluid situation. Though it is difficult decision for Mehbooba Mufti to take but she should keep the party in her mind and take suggestion of workers as they have been facing a difficult situation after the alliance with BJP. Also the sentiments of the people in Kashmir must be respected.” “I still say that it is the voice of my conscience and keeping in view the sentiments of the people in Kashmir. RSS and BJP is anti-Kashmir.
The dangers of RSS and BJP are more felt by Muslims in Chenab valley and Pir Panchal. We may not be feeling the dangers of RSS here more than what people in these two regions see because they are living among Hindu majority. For them living each day has not been without danger.” He said that he has no personal animosity with BJP and RSS. “But their core agenda is, and what has come to fore, ideological ingression, administrative ingression, political and religious ingression (which was witnesses during beef ban).” The senior leader said that that the PDP president could think on new lines and start a new beginning. “Mufti Sahab’s demise has been our collective loss. For me he was a fatherly figure. Though I have difference of views over the alliance with BJP but I have no personal animosity with the party or Mehbooba Mufti. I have put my views forward in a democratic way.
Despite difference of views, I suggest Mehbooba Mufti, she being an undisputed leader of the party, that at this time that she can think on new lines and start a new beginning for the party. If she takes a decision not to form new government, I will work as a worker for the party.”
“PDP with the leadership of Mufti sahab and all other leaders and workers gave a new lease of life to people in Kashmir, and gave people relief in governance, political and security situation. On what thinking and on which commitments Mufti Sahab formed coalition with BJP, though it was boldest decision of the century Mufti Sahab after Sheikh Abdullah’s Accord, but the decision did not get well with the people as its consequences were against the people.” “At the same time, I must say Mufti Sahab’s intention was not against people. May be he had thought that going with Congress must not be favourable for the development of the state and he also must have thought about the situation then.” He said that the BJP has not respected the “Agenda of Alliance” and stoked up controversial issues. “Now, we have experience of the last nine months with the BJP. BJP did not follow the “Agenda of Alliance”: Be it Article 370, Article 35 (A) of the constitution, beef issue, return of power projects, AFSPA, or dialogue with Hurriyat for the resolution of Kashmir or dialogue with Pakistan.”
Karra said that he believes the idea of grand alliance floated during government formation last year is still relevant to defeat communal forces. “I believe that secular parties should join together, rising above their political lines and interests, to form a secular force to defeat communal force and remove it from the political spectrum of the whole country. So, in the same way a secular force can be formed in Jammu and Kashmir to start a movement against communal forces.” He said that due to alliance with BJP, the PDP workers are being taunted and scolded by people.
“If we see the ground situation today, our workers are being taunted in public because of this alliance. Not only in Kashmir, but in Muslim belts in Jammu region, PDP was seen an alternate to other political parties. But because of this alliance we have had to pay the price,” he said.