Coalition survival main concern of PM, Sonia: Mufti

Srinagar, Mar 31: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the survival of the Congress-led coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir was the main concern of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Addressing a crowded news conference here, he expressed satisfaction over the Centre's decision to set up a three-fold mechanism to deal with the PDP's demands for troop reduction, revocation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and vacation of agricultural and orchard land besides private and government buildings by security forces in the state.

''The Prime Minister has handled the entire situation in a very dignified manner. I met him thrice. Ms Gandhi also took special interest and was keen to find a way out. The survival of the coalition government was their main concern. They didn't want the PDP-Congress coalition to break at any cost,'' Mr Sayeed said.

Lavishing praise on Dr Singh, he said the Prime Minister was serious in resolving the Kashmir issue and wanted to ensure that the people of the state, who have suffered a lot over the past 17 years of turmoil, get some relief.

The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister refused to comment about his successor Ghulam Nabi Azad's opposition to his party's troop cut demand, saying the decision on mechanism was taken at the highest level.

''I had repeatedly told both Ms Gandhi and Dr Singh that till the state Chief Minister was on board, the mechanism would not work. The Prime Minister assured me that Mr Azad is on board regarding the issue...He has not been ignored,'' Mr Sayeed added.

About Mr Azad's statement yesterday that the massacre of five labourers in Rajouri should be an eye opener to those demanding troop withdrawal in the state, the PDP supremo said he does not want to react to the remarks or indulge in any kind of fight with the Chief Minister over the issue. ''Such incidents did happen earlier also and these should not act as a stumbling block to the process of troop reduction. The PDP and the Congress have different issues. There are differences in perceptions of the two parties. It doesn't mean that we leave our respective agendas to remain in coalition,'' he added.

Drawing parallel with the Left parties in the Centre, the PDP supremo said there was no problem in raising the people's issues while being in the coalition.

Henceforth, Mr Sayeed said, the coalition would function in an ideal way. ''Everybody would see that,'' he added.

The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister expressed the hope that the ground situation in the strife-toorn state would soon see a significant change.

''We have succeeded in breaking the tradition for the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier our requests and papers sent to the Centre were thrown in dustbins, but now these have been considered. I do not make tall claims, but the people of the state would soon see a significant change in the ground situation.'' Mr Sayeed addressed the news conference here on his arrival from New Delhi where he stayed for ten days during which he held a series of discussions with the Prime Minister, Ms Gandhi and others over his party's demands.

''I am on my agenda. The Prime Minister has acknowledged, rather registered and taken action on it,'' he asserted.

UNI