Expecting nothing from new interlocutor: Farooq Abdullah
Srinagar, Nov 5 (IBNS): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Farooq Abdullah on Sunday asked the Government of India to devise a sound Kashmir policy and termed the appointment of a new interlocutor to J&K as ‘nothing new’.
While addressing a public gathering in Tangdar Kupwara, Abdullah said, “I have very little expectations from this new interlocutor. Like it has been done before, he will come and meet people. In 2010, the then UPA government appointed a group of interlocutors who visited the state and had detailed discussions with every section here. The process took more than two months and after they were done with meeting people, a report was compiled. What happened to that report?,” Abdullah asked.
“Did the government discuss that report in any forum including the Parliament? No, instead it has been thrown into the dust bin somewhere in north Block. It was followed by a delegation comprising of parliamentarians who visited Kashmir. What happened to that delegation and their recommendations? Nothing happened. So I expect nothing to happen now as well,” he added.
Abdullah also pointed out that when the mandate of Sharma is not clear why should anyone deliberate with him.
“Ever since the Modi led government assumed power, their Kashmir policy has been swinging like a pendulum. The appointment of the new interlocutor is itself mired in controversies. Home Minister Rajnath Singh describes him as an interlocutor whereas the very next day another minister in the PMO designates him as a mere Spokesperson. So essentially when the mandate given to Mr Dineshwar Sharma is not clearly specified, then what is the fun in having deliberations with him?,” Abdullah maintained.
Describing autonomy as core of the party’s political agenda and a way forward towards resolution of the political issue of the state, Abdullah said, “Our stand on resolving the issue of J&K politically is loud and clear which is the restoration of pre -1953 situation.”
Asserting that New Delhi was bound to make provisions to grant autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “This was a guarantee that time and again has been clarified with number of deputations and representatives of the Government of India. Therefore for upholding the political dignity and rights of the people of J&K, restoration of Autonomy is a must.”
Attacking the PDP led government in the state for its submissiveness to BJP, Abdullah said, “Its a shame that an elected CM has to take dictations from lower rung BJP party functionaries who come from outside and dictate everything from governance to decision making. They in effect are the defacto CMs of this state.”
(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri, Image: Wikimedia Commons)
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