If anyone can solve Kashmir crisis, it is PM Modi: Mehbooba

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can resolve the Kashmir problem as he has a strong mandate and appealed to him to pull the valley out of morass. Mufti, whose government is battling spiralling protests in the valley, said that the situation is the result of pent up anger due to the failure of the UPA government to continue with the policy started by the previous NDA government in Jammu and Kashmir during her father Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed's rule.

"I say today with authority and I will be criticised for it also. If anyone can find a solution to Jammu and Kashmir problem, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He (the PM) has a strong mandate. Whatever decision he takes, the country will support him," said Mufti, whose party is running a government in coalition with the BJP.

"If anyone can take us out of the sticky spot, it is Prime Minister Modi. The nation will support whatever he decides...it is my earnest appeal...," she said. The CM was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a flyover here.

Hailing the Prime Minister's decision to visit Lahore on December 25, 2015, she said that it was a sign of strength not weakness. "He has the mandate of the people. This is his biggest power. He went to Lahore and met the PM of that country. This is not a sign of weakness but an indication of strength and power," she said.

She took a dig at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying he did not have the courage to visit Pakistan.

"Before him (Modi), a Prime Minister had also desired to go to Pakistan for over 10 years. He wanted to see his home there," she said, with naming Singh.

"He also would have tried to end the confrontation between the two countries, and bring J&K out of this unfortunate situation, but he had no courage to do that."

She gave credit to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former chief minister Mufti Sayeed for starting the "chapter of peace" in Jammu and Kashmir in 2002. "They tried their best to bring out Kashmir out of this unfortunate situation. He was successful to a large extent in shortest of period," Mehbooba said.