Kashmir unrest Modi government's big political failure: Manish Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday termed the present unrest in Kashmir valley as a "big political failure" of the BJP-led central government and said the Centre and state government have to take steps to build trust among people.

In an interview to CNN News 18 channel, the Aam Aadmi Party leader also rubbished speculation that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal could be the party's chief ministerial candidate for the Punjab assembly elections next year.

Sisodia condemned Sunday's terror strike in Kashmir's Uri town in which 18 soldiers were killed and said it deserves a befitting reply.

"Violence and terrorism deserve a befitting reply, but that reply should be in action and not just words. At the same time, you also need to solve the internal crisis," he said.

"I have covered Kashmir as a journalist, but so much trouble has seldom been witnessed. The trouble has been there since 1989, and 26 years later we are witnessing movements like then (1989). That is a big political failure," Sisodia added.

A total of 89 people have been killed and over 11,500 injured in the ongoing unrest in the Kashmir Valley that started on July 9 following the killing of militant Burhan Wani.

Sisodia said the Prime Minister should focus on action instead of indulging in "politics of show off".

"As a nation we are losing confidence, it happened in Uri, it can happen in Delhi and other places. This is a big failure and the Centre is responsible for this failure. Modi believes in the politics of show off, when it comes to show off, Modi is a big brand. But where are the nitty gritty?"

"Having biryani will not solve the Kashmir (problem) or India-Pakistan relationship," he said.

The AAP leader said both the Jammu and Kashmir and the central government will have to undertake measures that build trust. "They will have to embrace the people, there needs to be a mutual sense of belonging, which has been destroyed...All political parties should discuss the issue, the Prime Minister should talk to all, discuss what needs to be done in Kashmir, discuss the Pakistan issue," he said.

"Modi is the Prime Minister of my country, we belong to different political parties, but if he does anything for the sake of the country, then we will support him," Sisodia added.

To a question on speculation that Kejriwal may be Punjab's chief ministerial candidate, Sisodia said: "The problem is the media has now taken up the job of deciding what should be our ideals and principles. Who will be our leader, what would will be his post, the media at once starts speculating. This is not fair."

"This is nothing but baseless speculations, media should not put their words in our mouth," he said.

--IANS

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