Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led PDP-Congress coalition in J&K has revived the people's faith in democracy

Added: (Sat Oct 22 2005)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Press Release



We the undersigned believe that the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led PDP-Congress coalition in J&K has revived the people's faith in democracy and peace in all three regions of the State by effectively combating the politics of violence and terror through a "healing touch policy".



Despite Mufti Sahib's readiness to step down as CM, in accordance with the power-sharing agreement made in 2002, India’s national interest would be best served by his continuance in office as Chief Minister so that he can consolidate the forces of peace, democracy and development that have been set in motion.



As a regional party, the PDP is better able to represent the aspirations of the Kashmiri people for autonomy and self-governance especially at a time when the peace process with Pakistan is on the move. It would be particularly inappropriate to bring about a change of leadership at a point when the State has still to recover from the tragedy and trauma caused by the recent earthquake. We therefore appeal to the Congress leadership to let Mufti continue undisturbed in the larger interests of India and the enlightened self-interest of the Congress itself, which would gain credibility by such an act of self-abnegation.



Sd:

Ashis Nandy, Senior Fellow, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies

Dhirubhai Sheth, Senior Fellow, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies

George Verghese, Centre for Policy Research

Jaiprakash Narayan, Loksatta

Air CommodoreJasjit Singh, Institute of Defence Studies

Madhu Purnima Kishwar, Manushi

Maja Daruwala, Human Rights Advocate

Moosa Raza, Former Chief Secretary, J&K

Pran Chopra, Former Editor, Statesman

Satish Kumar, Editor, National Security Review