After swearing-in, Mufti kicks up storm
2 March 2015 11:50 PM GMT
“I want to say this on record and I have told this to the Prime Minister that the we must credit the Hurriyat, militant outfits for the conduct of assembly elections in the state,” Sayeed said during a press conference here after being sworn in as head of the PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir at a ceremony which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Flanked by deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh of BJP and newly inducted cabinet minister Haseeb Drabu, Sayeed said, “People from across the border allowed conducive atmosphere during elections. My humble submission is peaceful elections were not possible, if they had done something. You know how small action was needed to disturb the elections. They allowed this democratic process to go ahead. This gives us a hope.” “God forbid if they (militants) would have done something. It would not have been possible to have smooth conduct of the elections,” he said.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hit out at Sayeed’s remarks and asked BJP to explain its stand. “Pakistan, Huriyaat & Militants ALLOWED Peaceful conduct of elections” says Syeed, I guess we should be grateful to their generosity (sic). “Dear @BJP4India Please explain role of security forces & Polling staff considering your CM just said, “Pakistan allowed elections in J&K”, Omar tweeted.
On a retweet about BJP worker in Jammu celebrating Omar wrote, “Or Just thanking Pak for JK elections.” Speaking to reporters, Sayeed, while referring to Pakistan, said, “They also have assets Hurriyat, other militants. If they had done something (during the election) such a participation of people was not possible.”
Sayeed said that he felt proud that the people in the heart of Valley in Srinagar came out in large number to vote.
He voiced hope that the induction of former separatist Sajjad Gani Lone in the Ministry would open avenues for others to follow the suit. “Sajjad Gani Lone has given an opening, an avenue for others (separatists) to follow,” he said.
He said peace is a pre-requisite of governance. “If Jammu and Kashmir have to be a model of growth. Like people in Gujarat say ‘Good Governance’. Peace is prerequisite,” he said. Lauding the then Prime Minister AB Vajpayee as a great statesman, Sayeed said the government will take forward his philosophy of “Insaniyat, Jamhooriat and Kashmiriyat”. “We believed that Hurriyat and separatists also have a view point. We did not keep them locked in homes,” he said. The BJP reacted cautiously to newly anointed Chief Minister Sayeed’s remarks crediting people across the border and separatists for the peaceful polls in the state, saying the exercise had been successful due to the efforts of the Election Commission and Indian Army and of those who believe in the Indian Constitution. “The peaceful poll in Jammu and Kashmir was conducted with the support of the Election Commission and other security agencies, including state police, besides those who believe in the Indian Constitution,” said BJP National Secretary, Shrikant Sharma. Maintaining that the people of J-K want peace and development as they look to take their state forward on the path of progress, he said that the new PDP-BJP coalition government will try to fulfil these aspirations through good governance.
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