Srinagar, December 14 (KNO) : Stating that forging an alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to from the dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir was a ‘suicide’, former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said that the idea of 'Azad Kashmir' should be changed with a 'better idea'.
Speaking in a seminar titled ‘Kashmir – The Way Forward’, organized by Observer Research Foundation (ORF), in Mumbai, Mehbooba said there is a need to change the idea of ‘Azad Kashmir’ with some better idea, which would come under the ambit of Indian Constitution.
“We cannot go back to 1947, we have to move forward,” former chief minister said as per KNO correspondent. She also pitched for a grand alliance between National Conference (NC), PDP and Congress, saying that it was the need of the hour 'in order to keep the forces that are hell-bent to divide the state at bay.' The PDP president further termed her party’s alliance with the BJP as ‘suicide.’ “We joined hands with the BJP.
It was suicide, but we put everything on the line because we hoped that Modi will pick up where Vajpayee left. Unfortunately, Modi could not rise to the occasion,” she commented.
She claimed that due to total ‘disconnect’ between people in Kashmir and Delhi, 'outside support' is sought. During the time of Vajpayee, the people of Kashmir thought of him as a leader who cared, she told the gathering, adding even Pakistan responded positively resulting in reduction of militancy and ceasefire.”
“Between 2002-05, it was the golden period of Kashmir, since for the first time the CM of Kashmir and PM of India were on the same page,” she added. Urging India to rise up and reach out to Kashmiris and find a solution. “All the #SAARC nations must come together and make Jammu & Kashmir a model of cooperation,” she said.(KNO)