Opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday threw ball in BJP’s court asking it to remain prepared to give choice to Kashmiri people to renegotiate its relation with the country if it wants to abrogate Article 370.“Our position is that the state’s special status cannot be touched and if you do so then are you prepared to ask the people of Kashmir what they want. You are giving the people a choice and a chance of the same,” said Mehbooba while holding press conference at her Srinagar residence. Mehbooba remarked further that Kashmir is the only part of the world where forces are present in such a huge number and that BJP should try to strengthen state’s special status rather than stressing for its erosion. “Even in the past, several leaders and intellectuals made it clear that Article 370 cannot be even touched as it is the base of Kashmir’s relation with India. We believe that if Article 370 is eroded then you are giving people a choice, a chance where you could ask them what they want. Are you prepared to do that?”
Mehbooba added that if state’s special status is fiddled with, its impact will be disastrous and dangerous. “We want more administrative powers, more share in civil services, the amount of our water resources be compensated and state should have an elected Governor. I hope Prime Minister will intervene and reassure people here that no power on earth can fiddle with the dignity and honor of Jammu and Kashmir.”Mehbooba addressed press conference at her Srinagar residence a day after newly appointed MoS in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh stirred hornet’s nest- stating that BJP is working to repeal Article 370.
Expressing satisfaction over Dr Jitendra’s retracting the earlier statement on Article 370, Mehbooba stated that such statements must not be issued in future for the sake of state’s tranquility. The PDP president told reporters that it was ironic that at the time when a new beginning was going on between India and Pakistan, Dr Jitendra Singh issued the statement of such nature that has the potential to pide Kashmir on communal lines. “Kashmir is with India from the last more than 60 years. My opinion is that BJP must concentrate on winning minds and hearts of the people here.”
Mehbooba stated that her party hopes that in coming time both internal as well as the external dimension of Kashmir will be addressed. “We hope that Dr Jitendra Singh will not put his foot in his mouth and no such statement will be issued in future.”“The people of Kashmir have suffered a lot in the past, we have seen bloodshed and mayhem and we don’t want Kashmir to see burning again. How come on one side BJP is trying to win hearts of other countries and at the same time is breaking hearts of people here by issuing the perturbing statements,” said Mehbooba. The PDP president also took a jibe at NC, accusing it of bartering the resources of Jammu Kashmir in lieu of power. “It is NC that surrendered our water resources, power projects and JK bank to RBI.”