KL Desk
Jammu
While terming the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as a strong opposition and only alternative to National Conference (NC) in all the three regions of state, its patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed recalled his party workers that they have to become a uniform force to unite all the regions and sub-regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
“PDP has already played a historical role in reviving people’s faith in democracy and the party has emerged as only alternative of the National Conference in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions,” Mufti said while addressing one day convention of party workers of Jammu province on Monday.
Mufti in his address said that the PDP through its works has earned credibility of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the masses are looking towards PDP to get their aspirations addressed. He claimed that people have realized only PDP has the vision and conviction to solve their problems. “Formation of PDP in the year 1999 was turning point in the history of Jammu and Kashmir because in short span of time, PDP has earned credibility of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the party has emerged as biggest political force of the state”, he said.
“From 1947 to 2002, NC had never allowed strengthening of democratic institutions in the state because instability in the state suits this party”, he observed and asserted that PDP has challenged domination of NC and changed political discourse of the state through its visionary and pro-peace policies.
In a party statement, Mufti said, “When PDP was formed there was a sense of fear and insecurity among the people. Through our pro-peace agenda PDP has not only created a sense of security among the people but also restored dignity of the common masses by pioneering and implementing peace and reconciliation policies.”
According to the statement, president PDP Mehbooba Mufti, while speaking on the occasion said that the peace process initiated by the government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was an irreversible process and roadmap laid by the party was the only way to establish sustainable peace in the sub-continent.
“It was all due to the convictions of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had extended a hand of friendship towards Pakistan at the time when tension between the two countries was high on the borders,” she said, adding that PDP through its pro-peace polices convinced both the neighboring countries to break the ice and take some Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) for restoration of peace in this region.
“Whatever steps Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had initiated for restoring peace, successive regimes at Delhi endorsed them,” she said and reiterated PDP’s commitment to work as facilitator for solution of Kashmir problem.
PDP president, while expressing her gratitude towards Panches and Sarpanches for casting votes in favour in just concluded elections to the four seats of Legislative Council, said that results were encouraging. She declared year 2013 would be year of consolidation for the party.
Former deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, who was also present in the meeting said that PDP has scripted a new chapter of peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir and changed political discourse of the state through its visionary and pro-peace policies.
