'J-K the biggest challenge that India faces': Mufti

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Sunday said that his state is the 'biggest challenge' that India faces, calling for members of the opposition to help his government work towards growth.

"We decided to give the position of the main opposition to the National Conference in the Lower House and to the Congress in the Upper House of the state assembly, because the coalition between the BJP and the PDP is not to rule the state. Jammu and Kashmir is the biggest challenge that India faces," Mufti said at the state assembly here.

I want to work on a larger canvas and want to be inclusive in working towards growth. The people of the state have given us a large number of votes and I feel that we should not lose this opportunity to work for them. It is the determination and the will of the people that will count. Our journey is one of progress, good governance and transparency. I am confident that the members of the House, no matter which party they belong to, agree with me," he added.

Mufti's statements come after he assured the assembly on Thursday that he will take all the stake holders in confidence before accepting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's request of creating separate zones for Kashmiri Pandits in the state.

"We will create an environment of secularism in the valley. The issue should not be politicized. This is a human issue and we don't want to create an Israel. We want the people of all the communities to live together," he had said.

Mufti had earlier assured Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that his government would immediately start the process for creating the zones and has accepted the demand for creating separate zones for Kashmiri Pandits in the state.