Assembly polls offer opportunity to rebuild stable J&K: PDP

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the upcoming assembly elections could lay out a process of rebuilding a "politically stable" and economically sustainable Jammu and Kashmir.
"The assembly elections offer a historic opportunity for laying out the process of rebuilding a politically stable and economically sustainable Jammu and Kashmir. I hope that January 2015 will mark a new beginning for the state with a new era of peace, development and prosperity," Sayeed said, addressing a party convention here.
The former chief minister said the people of the state today want the politicians to stand up and address the political and economic issues that matter to them.

"They want leadership, they want commitment, they want accountability, they want political stability, they want economic prosperity and they want development," he said, adding as a dependable regional political force PDP has demonstrated that it can deliver on all these counts with "unflinching consistency".
Sayeed said if his party gets a decisive mandate in the elections, it would not be the victory of the PDP but the victory of people of Jammu and Kashmir who have been "yearning for change" through democratic means.
"There is less than a month left to determine the direction that we are going to take in the next six years for the larger good of our people. While PDP has already won on the turfs of trust, credibility and commitment, it is time to win the seats now," he said.

"Our objective is to promote and establish political stability and provide good governance... The party will at the same time continue to work for the resolution of the Kashmir issue," he said.

Sayeed said the next six years were crucial for not only ensuring good governance but accomplishing the challenging task of rebuilding safe,sustainable and planned infrastructure in the state in the aftermath of the devastating floods.
"If you want a change of direction, not just a change of government, if you want new priorities, not just politics - the PDP is the only alternative," he said, adding that for his party it was time for a crusade rather than a poll campaign.

Sayeed said if voted to power, his government's focus would be on horticulture, handicrafts and tourism sectors which are the mainstay of the state's economy.