Jammu: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has refuted the repeated claims being made in the media by Sartaj Madni, PDP Vice-President that dialogue with Pakistan was the ‘first and last condition’ for forging an alliance with the BJP.
He is also reported to have stated that delay in Indo-Pak dialogue may undermine the AoA. Sartaj Madni has also said, “AoA is an express commitment to the people of the state on the resolution of Kashmir problem through reconciliation and dialogue.”
In a press statement released by the Party, it is alleged that such selective quoting from the AoA can lead to mistrust and add to the confusion among the people. Amplifying further, Brigadier Anil Gupta, State Spokesperson stated that the coalition government was formed as a “Governance Alliance” without any pre-conditions to provide a stable and representative government that will work towards providing smart governance, ensuring self-sustaining and balanced development across all three regions and to create conditions to facilitate resolution of all issues of J&K. AoA nowhere refers to ‘Kashmir Problem’ but is committed to the resolution of all outstanding issues of J&K clarified Brig Gupta.
As far as Indo-Pak relations are concerned the AoA envisions the coalition government to support and strengthen the initiatives and approach taken by the Central Government to create a reconciliatory environment for peace and development within the sub-continent.
Despite best efforts of the Modi government to offer a reconciliatory hand to Pakistan, there has been no reciprocal gesture by Pakistan. Instead, Pakistan has been not only abetting and aiding terror operations across the border, it has also been killing our innocent civilians living on the LoC and IB through unprovoked ceasefire violations.
In such an environment PDP needs to condemn Pakistan and support the stand of the Government of India rather than advocating for talks with Pakistan.
The onus lies on Pakistan to create a conducive environment for sustained dialogue process to resume lamented Brig Gupta.
The statement welcomed the assertion of Sartaj Madni that initiatives are required for fulfilling the promises made in the alliance document to bring an end to the prolonged miseries of the people of the State.
Brig Gupta reminded Madni that there are many issues in the AoA beyond Indo-Pak relations that affect the lives of the people of the state living in miseries which need urgent resolution. However, there is no visible initiative being taken for their resolution. Listing the issues, Brig Gupta said that their early resolution will send a positive message since these people also need the “Healing Touch” advocated by the late Mufti and being continued by the Honourable CM.
The issues are: return to Valley of Kashmiri Pandits with dignity, settlement of West Pakistan refugees, extend all benefits accruing to the people living on the LoC to the people living on IB, ST status to Kolis and Chopans and constitution of a Delimitation Commission.
“Let the Indo-Pak talks not hijack the AoA and PDP to not only concentrate on the Kashmir Valley but also to come forward to resolve these outstanding issues of J&K as envisioned in the alliance document,” stated Brig Gupta.
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