Modi wasted golden chance on K-issue: Mufti

Suhail A Shah
Anantnag, April 10

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said the Congress had always been afraid of taking steps vis-a-vis the Kashmir issue and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi lost a golden chance by not acting in this regard despite a decisive mandate.

She was responding to a question regarding Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent statement wherein he had maintained “chance of peace talks was better, if the BJP wins the poll”.

Talking to reporters following a workers’ convention here, she said, “We have seen how Manmohan Singh-led Congress could not take forward the good work done by Atal Bihari Vajpayee even in their 10 years in the office,” Mehbooba said, adding that Manmohan did not even visit Pakistan. She said the Congress was too afraid to take steps to settle the Kashmir issue. The PDP president said Imran was reiterating only what her late father had said time and again.

“My father said time and again that Modi had everything on his side. He had the mandate and the right kind of support to talk to Pakistan,” she said.

She, however, maintained that Modi did not justify his mandate vis-a-vis the Kashmir issue and relations with neighbouring Pakistan. “He could have done so much but he did not. Now, I don’t think he will get the kind of mandate he had till now even if he comes back to power for a second term,” Mehbooba said. Mehbooba was also asked about the ban on civilian vehicle movement on the National Highway No. 44, twice a week. She said she had protested against it and had moved the court. “Now the only option is that the people should come to the highway with their vehicles and I will accompany them if they do so,” Mehbooba said.

Farooq praises Imran, hits out at PM

Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday praised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan but criticised Narendra Modi for speaking “the language of a tea-seller”. Farooq, who is the NC candidate for the Srinagar seat, appreciated Imran for his recent statement of casting off war as an option between India and Pakistan. “Peace words are coming from the Prime Minister of our neighbouring country, a former cricketer. However on this side, our PM is still speaking the language of a tea-seller,” Farooq  said at a rally in the city. He said dialogue between India and Pakistan was the “only way” to resolve the Kashmir issue. TNS