Omar for Centre-state dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue

"I hope that UPA-II will speed up the dialogue and the way India and Pakistan are talking, same way a dialogue between the Centre and the state should go on so that a solution comes out and the dream that we both (Omar and Rahul) have got in inheritance from our grandfathers be realised in our lifetime," he said.

Omar was addressing a gathering here, 85 km from Srinagar, after Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways CP Joshi laid the foundation of a 6.5-km tunnel in presence of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and Union minister Farooq Abdullah.

Omar said attempts have been made to address the Kashmir issue from time to time.

"My grandfather (Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah) and Jawahar Lal Nehru joined hands for the progress of this state and country. Then Rajiv-Farooq accord happened. The agenda was one that somehow the political issues of Jammu and Kashmir be solved through dialogue," he added.

Omar said he wanted to bring smiles on the faces of the people and love in their hearts to strengthen the relations between Jammu and Kashmir with rest of the country.

"I take this opportunity to appeal to Rahul, CP Joshi ji and Farooq Abdullah that we need more tunnels at various places in the state like Razdan pass in Gurez, Sadhna Pass in Karnah, tunnel on Mughal road in Poonch-Rajouri. There is a dire need of these tunnels. I hope work on them will commence soon," Omar said.

Joshi, in his address, said there cannot be two India's in the country where one is progressing and the other is lagging behind.

"There should be equitable development. That is the vision of Rahul Gandhi. The same stands true for this state. It is his dream of seeing the people from far flung areas be connected with the rest of the country. This is the first step towards realising that dream," Joshi said.