For political and economic stability give mandate to PDP, Mehbooba

Srinagar, Mar 21 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Ms Mehbooba Mufti has said the state's march towards political stability and economic prosperity would regain its momentum only if her party gets a clear mandate in the assembly elections later this year.

Addressing a public meeting at Natipora, the PDP President said the party, while heading the Coalition Government, facilitated momentous transformation of the State's political and economic scenario by sticking to its pro-people agenda.

''Despite pulls and pressures, PDP-led Coalition government ensured that there is no deviation on its principled stand of upholding the honor and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,'' she said.

She said that the party's persistent struggle for bringing the interests of the State's people on the centre-stage of the sub-continent's political dynamics has started bearing fruit and the strong political vibes emanating from Jammu and Kashmir have altered the mindset both in Delhi and Islamabad.

The PDP President said former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed played a crucial role in transforming the glacial mindsets that used to pursue hackneyed policies towards Jammu and Kashmir.

''Whether it was reopening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road,construction of Mughal Road, extension of mobile facility to the State or round- the-clock movement of traffic through the Jawahar tunnel, strenuous efforts were made by certain quarters to sabotage these moves.

''Without naming anyone, she said the people who are today running around to claim credit for the opening of Srinagar- Muzaffarabad road, perhaps forget that it was PDP which offered the sacrifices of 13 of its precious activists on April 8, 2004, in a grenade attack at Uri on a massive rally organised by the party to press for the opening of the road.

Ms Mufti revealed that on November 24, 2002, when Raghunath Temple in Jammu was attacked, even the National Conference Patron Farooq Abdullah had rushed to Delhi complaining that Mr Sayeed was responsible for the attack as he has repealed POTA and is releasing the militants from jails.

''But, she said, even at that time Mr Sayeed told Delhi clearly that they have to trust the people of Jammu and Kashmir and not get carried away by any premeditated rhetoric.'' She said that with the passage of time the people's institutions started regaining the supremacy in the State facilitating the much-needed turn-around in the situation, that everybody is now trying to take credit for.

Ms Mufti said PDP has shown the guts and the courage to stand by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in difficult times and it is the only party that could change the State's destiny.

She said the people would themselves see how fast Jammu and Kashmir is going to change towards good, if PDP gets a clear mandate for the next six years.

''Give us the mandate and we will give you the peace, dignity and prosperity,'' she told the gathering.

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