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Srinagar, Mar 31 (UNI) 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.

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