Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice president Mohammad Sartaj madni has expressed dismay over the repeated utterances of local and National BJP Leaders discounting dialogue with Hurriyat Leaders and Pakistan. He said the very idea of closing the doors of reconciliation and understanding on vital political issues undermines the process of peace which does not serve the peoples interest.In a statement issued to KNS, Madni said that several unwarranted postures have contributed to trust–deficit and alienation leading to confrontation and acrimony at various levels. How will unnecessary debate on most sensitive issues help the state, he asked.Referring to Agenda of Alliance (AoA) between PDP and BJP, he said that this envisaged an agenda of hope and promise to reach out to everyone including separatists and Pakistan. No one can afford a volt- Face on this, he observed.Madni said that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed with support from then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had shown the way forward for peace and resolution in Jammu and Kashmir in 2002 to 2005. The situation then was marked by public appreciation, mutual cooperation and understanding. This led to a remarkable phase of development, political stability and peace in the state. The relations between India and Pakistan also marked a shift from animosity to bonhomie which provided further space to people to thrive upon.
“It was in this backdrop that PDP trusted BJP and the Union government, he said adding that the peace and political process picked up well again when Prime Minister Narender Modi surprised everyone by visiting Pakistan.” Unfortunately, some provocative incidents impeded this course. But it is this course that alone yields substance in resolving the issues with stake.Madni said that atmosphere of confrontation will bring miseries to people and J&K will suffer the worst. He called upon the BJP leaders to draw a leaf from Vajpayee era and strengthen the process of mutual reconciliation and dialogue. He said history is replete with lessons that no one turns out a beneficiary from war and confrontation and no one should be allowed to undermine the importance of reach out and dialogue even in an atmosphere of provocations and mistrust.He hoped that Prime Minister Narinder Modi will use his massive mandate and influence to set in a discourse of peace afresh so that the state of Jammu and Kashmir is brought out from the present morass and people of the region are given a participatory role to prosper.Madni said PDP holds agenda of peace as a sacred trust and reiterates its resolve to work with fidelity to have it accomplished for larger good of the people of the state as well as of the subcontinent. He hoped that everyone will subscribe to this agenda as the only way out to end hostilities, protest and bloodshed. (KNS)