J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed Friday claimed he was not a dictator who can dictate all the things to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on how to conduct the dialogue process with Pakistan.
“He (Narendra Modi) is Prime Minister of the country. Why should we make him say everything like that (talk about reconciliation with Pakistan). Why should he say that. He is not under pressure to say that,” Mufti told reporters while answering series of questions on Modi’s muted response towards initiating fresh dialogue with Pakistan during his visit to Srinagar ahead of Diwali.
Mufti had convened special media briefing here at his official residence to showcase the micro details of the massive developmental package of 80,000 crores for the development and reconstruction of infrastructure in all three regions of the State.
Responding to a specific question on why Modi remained silent during his visit to Kashmir valley on holding fresh dialogue with Pakistan Mufti said reconciliation with Pakistan is on the agenda of the ruling PDP-BJP alliance in the State but termed it as an “evolutionary process”.
Mufti, however, reiterated he would continue to pursue the agenda of reconciliation with the neighbouring country with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“It (reconciliation with Pakistan) is there. I have high hope on that. “I say if there is friendship with Pakistan, we are bestowed with peace here. During the Vajpayee’s period he got peace and everything was peaceful. I will not give up my effort, it will be my endeavour to pursue it with the PM to have reconciliation and that is my dream,” he added.
Asked whether Modi is proving to be difficult for you as compared to Vajpayee as far as holding talks with Pakistan is concerned, Mufti said, “during my previous meetings with him, Modi has been totally focused on Jammu and Kashmir on development front. Good governance and development one major issue.”
“When he (Modi) entered into alliance with me, it (reconciliation with Pakistan) is written there that there will be friendly relations with the neighbouring State.
“It is not possible that Mufti will achieve everything in one go. It is important that I be able to create atmosphere of friendship between two countries,” he added.
On a specific question asked on PDP’s alliance with BJP, Mufti Sayeed said everybody is free to express views in his party. “Dissent is the essence of democracy. Everybody has a right to express his/her views,” he stated. Mufti was responding to the statement of senior PDP leader and party MP Muzaffar Hussain Baig.
Responding to another query, the Chief Minister praised PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti for tirelessly working in the field and strengthening the party base. “Consolidation of the party base is not because of me but Mehbooba as I find very little time for party affairs,” he said and added Mehbooba is a grassroots leader.
Mufti Sayeed also stated that his government will hold elections to local self-government institutions so that people at the grass roots level are fully empowered.