Sir — This refers to the report, “After wedlock, PDP locks horns” (March 3), and the editorial, “An Idea, not Ideology” (March 3). It is, indeed, tragic that within an hour of taking over as the Chief Minister, heading a historic alliance between two ideologically-diverse parties with contradictory policies, the BJP and the PDP, and after two months of hard negotiations, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has issued a thoughtless and provocative statement, giving a character certificate to Pakistan, Hurriyat separatists and its crony militants for peaceful polls in the State.
Mr Sayeed overlooked the brave voters of the State who defied terrorist threats and came to the polling booths in unprecedented numbers to exercise their democratic right to elect a new Government. The Mufti also ignored the crucial role played by the Election Commission and the Central and local security forces to ensure a peaceful poll.