The Hindu : Universal recognition for poll verdict: Mufti

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 13, 2003

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Universal recognition for poll verdict: Mufti

By Shujaat Bukhari

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, addressing a public rally at Anantnag on Sunday. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad

ANANTNAG JAN. 12. The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, said today that the verdict given by the people in the recent Assembly elections had not only been recognised at the national level but also by the international community as a "new beginning".

Addressing an impressive gathering here, Mr. Sayeed called for national consensus on Kashmir and cautioned the national parties against using it as an electoral plank in the coming elections in various States. Regretting the "discordant opinion" in a section of the BJP over Kashmir, he said: "this needs to be avoided as it is no time for partisan politics".

Later, talking to presspersons, Mr. Sayeed pointed out that the verdict given by the people in the elections had been recognised at the international level besides winning appreciation throughout the country. There was even a change in the attitude of Pakistan, which had talked about the new Government positively, and this has added credibility to it.

Referring to the visits of the United States Ambassador, Robert Blackwill, and delegations from the European Union and the British Parliament, he said: "They have assured us of their help in economic and social development and are keen to contribute in the rebuilding process." The State Government should be free in getting external investment, as has been the case with Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, which had a large amount of funding coming from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, he added.

The Mufti would soon be visiting Hyderabad and Mumbai to rope in industrial groups and tourism-related institutions to invest in Kashmir. "We need to be self-reliant and for that funding is important," he said. There was a discernible change in the atmosphere in the State and "security forces and police have started behaving in a good manner which certainly will help us in consolidating the gains on the ground".

The leader of the People Democratic Forum and CPI (M) MLA, M.Y. Tarigami, said the coalition Government was committed to its common minimum programme and there would be no discrimination. The Rural Development Minister, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, and other leaders were present.

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