Bandipora, June 7: PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed Thursday said the 2002 assembly elections were the turning point in the political history of the Jammu and Kashmir.
“These elections not only restored peoples’ faith in the democratic institutions but the government formed after these polls had also changed political discourse in the State,” Mufti said while addressing a day-long convention of the party workers at Bandipora. He said PDP as the head of coalition government between 2002 and 2005 scripted a new chapter of peace and development in the state.
“Although we had just 16 members in the assembly, it was the result of our commitment and conviction that we earned credibility of the people and succeeded in implementing our agenda of peace and development”, he said adding PDP-led regime had also restored dignity and honour of the people.
“Our party had convinced successive governments at Delhi to initiate bold Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to restore lasting peace in this region”, he said and added that PDP entered into alliance with Congress by formulating a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) in which wishes of all the people were incorporated and pro-peace agenda was given priority. “After getting power, we released all political prisoners and disbanded the notorious Special Task Force (STF) to restore confidence among the masses”, he said.
“The PDP-led coalition gave a new direction to governance and addressed diverse issues effectively with the result that successive Prime Ministers could come here and reach out to the people and understand their problems,” he said recalling the “historic announcement” made by then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee from Srinagar in which he had extended hand of friendship towards Pakistan.
While mentioning towards latest decision of the Union Government for not implementing new telecom policy in Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti reminded that it was all due his efforts that mobile services were introduced in Jammu and Kashmir. “I as a Chief Minister of the State had convinced the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to introduce mobile services in the State”, he said.
Mufti said PDP’s aim is not to attain power but to address grievances of the people.
Reiterating his resolve of his party to restore peace in the sub-continent, PDP chief said that Self-Rule document prepared by the party was only viable solution for addressing external and internal dimensions of Kashmir problem. He said that this document has been prepared by incorporating wishes and aspirations of all regions and sub-regions of the state.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig, Nizamud Din Bhat, Abdul Gaffar Sofi, Choudhary Zulfikar, Murtaza Khan, Nizam ud Din Khatana and Yasir Reshi also addressed the convention.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 7 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 7 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST