Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi can create history by changing the narrative on Jammu and Kashmir because of his “unprecedented mandate”.
She also called upon the Government of India to “honour” Article 370 which she termed as a commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Democracy is a battle of ideas and dialogue is the only way forward. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has an unprecedented mandate and can create history by changing the narrative on Jammu and Kashmir,” she tweeted.
“The country should take advantage of Jammu and Kashmir’s geostrategic location and revive its traditional routes to foster greater economic activity. Article 370 is the nation’s commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and therefore should be honoured,” she said, in another tweet.
Reacting to the appointment of Dineshwar Sharma as Kashmir interlocutor, Mehbooba yesterday said that the central government has finally taken an important step towards reconciliation.
“This is the beginning of a political process. The Centre has finally taken a very serious step forward. When Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) spoke on Independence Day, the message was clear that he wants reconciliation, a process of rapprochement, to be the mainstay of the government’s Kashmir policy. I knew that they were looking for a credible face since August. The appointment of this interlocutor, a retired officer whom we know very well, is part of that process of reconciliation. it is an important move forward,” she said at Express Adda event in New Delhi yesterday.
