Riyaz Ul Khaliq
KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, skipped mention of Hurriyat Conference and Pakistan.
CM Mufti had been advocating engagement with Pakistan saying “it is important for peace in the region”.
It was PM Modi’s first rally in Jammu and Kashmir since Peoples Democratic Party joined hands with right wing Hindu nationalist, Bhartiya Janta Party, to form government in state.
PM Modi in his speech made it clear that he does not need “any analysis or advice on Kashmir”. “I am in love with Kashmir since long when I would visit Kashmir and stay here for many days.”
However, PM Modi did mention Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s “Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat and Insaaniyat” but did not mention Pakistan or any Hurriyat in his speech.
Former PM Vajpayee had extended “hand of friendship” to Pakistan in his 2004 visit to Kashmir which was hosted by Mufti that time as well. Vajpayee had also “invited Hurriyat leaders for talks”.
This time, however, PM Modi talked of development and advocated youth engagement. He announced the developmental package of Rs 80000 Crore and Rs 34000 Crore for Highways in Jammu and Kashmir.
CM Mufti has been reiterating his slogan of “Na Goli say Na Bandook Say, Baat Banay Gi Boli Say”, however, PM Modi did not even talk of any political engagement in his over 45 minutes speech.
“This is certainly disappointment for CM Mufti personally,” a political observer said, “he is more interested in having engagement with Pakistan this time.”
PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in his campaigning for the state elections in 2014 advocated engagements with Hurriyat as well, however, nothing of the sort happened, yet.
PM Modi was addressing a rally in Srinagar when the summer capital was turned in to fortress to prevent counter march announced by Hurriyat patriarch, Syed Ali Geelani.
All Hurriyat leaders are either behind bars or restricted to their homes.
Geelani had called for “Srinagar Million March’ today.
