Jammu Dec 10 (KNO) : The unity and integration of the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir is of paramount importance for the Peoples Democratic Party. The founder leader and Patron Mufti Mohammad Syed held this objective high in his heart and Ms. Mehbooba Mufti is pursuing the same goal in the footsteps of her Mentor with absolute fidelity.
Addressing Party workers at a reception here accorded to him on his taking over as Party’s Vice President for second successive stint , Sartaj Madni said without harmony state can fail to sustain as a distinct cultural unit and its identity and geographical complexion will also be put to threat in absence of mutual understanding and co-existence.
He said this vision of PDP is above electoral politics and aims at orienting state’s people into homogeneity with due regard for regional sensitivities.
Madni said PDP faced a criticism for entering into Alliance with BJP from several quarters including some meaningful section from the state. Yet the Party leaders stood firm in the belief that sooner than later people of the state will reap benefits of the decision . He said it is now for everyone to see that many potential controversies on vital issues like Art.370 stand neutralized and gaps of any communal and regional divisions are getting filled.
Madni said that it is true that lot remains to be done to familiarize state’s people with value of co-existence and respect for dissent , the urgency to strengthen the discourse on regional parity through mutual respect and understanding needs to be appreciated. He said PDP’s consistency in allowing the state to grow in cohesion and harmony is building a positive space for society and the state.
He said people of Jammu deserve appreciation for putting their trust in the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti and sharing her concerns for peace , development and prosperity. He said PDP values their support in surmounting difficulties facing state. He said there is a huge baggage of mistrust being carried by the people of the region and repeat of Muft’s politics , particularly his initiatives taken from 2002 to 2005 are now being repeated with the Union Government’s support.
Madni hoped that state will witness fresh political , diplomatic and economic initiatives in neare future which will help bring the state out of difficulties to usher into an era of sustainable peace and development.
Several senior leaders including Ved Mahajan , T.S. Bhajwa, Rafiq Hussain Khan , Dhaman Bhasin , besides former office bearers from Jammu province spoke on the occasion.(KNO)