'Clear mandate to PDP in polls will be beneficial for Kashmir'

Opposition PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said a clear mandate in favour of his party in the Assembly elections could open avenues for a "democratic resolution" to the problems of Jammu and Kashmir.
"There is a need of a decisive mandate in the coming elections. A clear verdict in favour of my party could open avenues for a democratic resolution to the problems of Jammu and Kashmir," Sayeed said in a function held here to welcome former MLC Mohammad Rashid Qureshi into the party fold.
Qureshi, a noted lawyer, was a prominent leader of the National Conference.
Sayeed said PDP will strive to carry all stakeholders along in a bid to shape an initiative from the state that could lead to an "amicable and workable settlement".

"No ready made solution can be enforced on Jammu and Kashmir unless the people of this state are involved in the resolution process. The momentum for resolution has to come from the state itself," he said.
The former chief minister said PDP seeks to channelise the urge for peace and development along democratic lines so that the people's voice is heard with respect and approval by all the parties concerned.

"The peace process initiated in 2003 by (then PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee could sustain and make some progress only because the sentiment had initiated from the state, to which Vajpayee responded positively and was later carried on by the UPA government," Sayeed added.

Referring to the initial progress made in the peace process, Sayeed said, "the small movement forward made in resolution after 2002 is unprecedented and there is a need to build on these initiatives."
But the process cannot be resumed if people of the state vote without wisdom in the elections, he added.
Sayeed said the problems of Jammu and Kashmir can be resolved only through democratic methods and it was necessary for the people to come on a single credible platform to push forward the case for justice and restoration of rights.
He also claimed that PDP never aims at power for the sake of power or establishing a monopoly on people's representation.