Awami Itihad Party President Engineer Rasheed on Tuesday said that the Governor’s latest claim that had he followed New Delhi’s dictates, Sajad Lone would have been the Chief Minister has exposed the fact that New Delhi doesn’t mean flourishing real democracy in J&K.
“It is obvious that in exchange to surrendering the demand of forming grand alliance, BJP agreed to dissolve assembly, which was otherwise unconstitutional but following secret deal NC and PDP decided not to challenge Governor’s decision,” he said. Rasheed also expressed surprise over Omar Abdullah asking New Delhi “what are Norwegians up to in Kashmir”.
“Every Kashmiri should welcome the track two diplomacy as it is the Kashmiris who are the worst sufferers,” Rasheed said. “By questioning the visit of Norwegian former Prime Minister to the both sides of Jammu & Kashmir has not only tried to sabotage the track two diplomacy but his statement will certainly put current BJP regime on the defensive and the major political parties in India will use Omar Abdullah’s statement as evidence against BJP of involving third party mediation to resolve Kashmir dispute, thus giving BJP and excuse to run away from initiating meaningful dialogue between stake holders”.
He said it was strange that Omar rather welcoming the efforts of Norwegian government has tried to give an ammunition to anti Kashmiri forces and hawkish elements just to gain sympathy in certain quarters in Delhi.
“It is unfortunate that neither NC is serious and sincere to fight even for restoration of autonomy nor is ready to encourage the efforts being carried out by Norwegians and others to get Kashmir issue resolved,” Rasheed said.