Independent legislator calls for PDP, NC to join hands in J&K

Independent legislator from north Kashmir's Langate constituency Sheikh Abdul Rasheed today asked the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join hands and form the government to win the confidence of the people and to "dictate terms" to the Centre or else boycott the elections.

"Everyone knows that the NC and the PDP have no ideological differences but it is for their lust for power, ego and the dictates of New Delhi, that they oppose each other. It is high time for the NC and the PDP to give up their illogical egos and form a government and bury the past to start an era wherefrom they should dictate terms to New Delhi rather than becoming its mouthpiece," Rasheed told reporters here.

He said the joining of the two rival parties in the state would boost the morale of the people of Kashmir.

"It will restore trust between the parties and win the confidence of masses. The NC and the PDP can nominate some prominent personality who should not be a member of any House or party as chief minister. It will give Kashmiris a genuine feeling that the NC and the PDP are not doing it for power, but are sincere to resolve the Kashmir dispute, and make New Delhi understand that it cannot humiliate Kashmiri leaders, from late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to Mehbooba Mufti, at a timing of its choosing," Rasheed said.

The MLA said he had sought appointments with both PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and NC vice-president Omar Abdullah to put forward the idea.

"If New Delhi creates hurdles in the NC and the PDP joining hands, then all mainstream parties should say no to elections," he said.

Rasheed said the people of Kashmir wanted the end of the PDP-BJP alliance but the way the BJP pulled support from the coalition was immoral and condemnable.